Updated: August 29, 2012
Yosemite valley from tunnel view, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
As of August 30, 2012, The National Park Service (NPS) announced that there were 6 confirmed cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in visitors who stayed at Curry Village in Yosemite National Park since June of this year. Public health officials believe that these visitors may have been exposed to Hantavirus while staying at the Signature Tent Cabins in Curry Village. Two people have died. CDC and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are working with the National Park Service in responding to the situation.
The park is contacting visitors who stayed in the Signature Tent Cabins from mid-June through the end of August, advising them to seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit symptoms of HPS. Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease and confirmed cases should be reported to CDC via state health departments.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Yosemite National Park Public Health Service officers are conducting rodent surveys, monitoring deer mouse abundance and virus activity in the parks mouse populations. They are also providing health education and prevention messages to the public.
The Yosemite National Park has a non-emergency phone line (209-372-0822) for all questions and concerns related to Hantavirus in Yosemite National Park. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a hotline number (404-639-1510) and information about HPS on their Hantavirus website.
