Hantavirus exposure risk may be higher than believed in parts of US, study finds
A recent study indicates that the risk of hantavirus exposure may be higher than previously believed in parts of the Pacific Northwest. Researchers found significant levels of the Sin Nombre virus in local rodent populations, particularly in the Palouse region. The findings suggest that agricultural communities in the area may face increased exposure risks.
- ▪Researchers from Washington State University discovered high levels of hantavirus in rodents in the Pacific Northwest.
- ▪Nearly 30% of sampled rodents showed evidence of prior exposure to the virus, with about 10% having active infections.
- ▪The study highlights that infections were found across multiple rodent species, indicating a wider spread of the virus than previously thought.
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Health Hantavirus exposure risk may be higher than believed in parts of US, study finds Sin Nombre virus infections found across multiple rodent species in Pacific Northwest By Melissa Rudy Fox News Published May 22, 2026 7:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship, physician discusses false positive Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship, physician discusses false positive NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Researchers found unusually high hantavirus levels in rodents in the Pacific Northwest, suggesting greater exposure risk in the surrounding agricultural communities.
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