Hantavirus: National Park Service and Popular Camping Site

Hantavirus It seems that the there has been an outbreak of a rare, deadly virus called the Hantavirus in Yosemite National Park. According to the article, there has been an outbreak of hantavirus infections in Curry Village, a popular camping site in Yosemite, and that two people have already died from it. However, this isn’t the first time the hantavirus has spread. In 1993, the virus had been first discovered when a terrifying outbreak unfolded in the Four Corners Area of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

The fatality rate was incredibly high—killing about half the people it infected. But, what exactly is the Hantavirus? The Hantavirus causes a disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can kill an infected within just 10 days. Researchers have learned that the hantavirus is spread by the wastes and saliva of deer mice, whose population in Yosemite is bigger than usual this year.

Over the 20 years since the virus has been discovered, experts have been able to learn more about the disease thus making them better at saving lives, but not that much better. Currently, there is no official cure. With that being said, I believe that this article was published to alert people about the hantavirus. It’s obvious that the hantavirus is extremely fatal and sneaky, for its symptoms are similar to those of harmless illnesses. People need to be notified to be cautious of their health.

It might be in Yosemite for now, but modern technology gives us humans the ability to travel great distances. Although there has been a recent outbreak, I do not think the hantavirus is or will ever be an epidemic. This is because I think that us humans are more than capable to stop the spread of this virus. I remember reading about the SARS outbreak that originated in China a couple of years ago. The CDC and the World Health Organization were immediately put into action as soon as it was found to have hit North America.

Flights were grounded, travel within borders was locked, and only around 40 people died in the entire continent. Also, I believe that this is the way we can fix this problem, almost like how they fixed the SARS outbreak. We should restrict travel to and from Yosemite so that the spread radius is minimized. Then, we should thoroughly study the virus and develop a cure. Unlike SARS, the cause of hantavirus infections is no longer a mystery. I believe that experts can cure the virus in just a few weeks if this is process is followed.