Yosemite National Park is one of
the first national parks founded, and is mainly known for their waterfalls.
However, they are getting more awareness from their recent outbreaks in
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hantavirus is a life threating disease
that is spread to humans by rodents and leaves symptoms similar to
influenza. Yosemite National Park
expanded a warning about the deadly Hantavirus to their recent visitors that
has no cure, and kills more than a third of those infected. Deer mice carry the
virus in their urine and feces, and humans can inhale it when it mixes with
dust. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sounded a
worldwide alert, saying visitors who visited between June and August may be at
risk. The Park is trapping and killing deer mice, which have grown in
population, and they are reporting that they have trapped 3 times as many deer mice
than those caught in 2008.
I never
been much of an outdoor type person, I camped out in a friend’s back yard, and
ended up going inside and sleeping on the couch. However, as I read this
article I realized that deadly viruses still exist in nature, where everything
is all natural and the air is truly fresh. I’m not sure if we should be worried
that Yosemite has a crazy amount of deer mice roaming around. It caught my
attention because I wanted to know if this virus could pass through human
contact, fortunately it doesn’t. However the fact that there is no cure, and
lung failure could occur, makes me think twice about camping really soon.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19594542
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19594542
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/09/14/yosemite-extends-hantavirus-warning-th-infection-confirmed/
Alexa Picazo
9/14/2012
5:00pm
No comments:
Post a Comment