Hantavirus fears reignite as suspected case is investigated in California
Related: Medic with hantavirus symptoms in UK hospital as nine virus contacts to arrive
An inmate at California’s San Quentin Rehabilitation Center has a possible case of hantavirus, confirmed by prison officials on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old inmate is in stable condition, and no other potential hantavirus cases have been identified among the facility’s more than 3,000 inmates.
Prison officials do not believe the virus was spread person-to-person and have not announced a quarantine, as common forms of hantavirus are typically transmitted through contaminated rodent droppings.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a rare but serious condition with a 30 to 40 percent mortality rate, for which there is no antiviral treatment.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation stated that the health and safety of the incarcerated population and staff remain its top priority.
