Deer mouse in local state park tests positive for hantavirus

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A deer mouse from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park tested positive for hantavirus.

The rodent was collected during routing monitoring on Oct. 22 at the Los Vaqueros Group Horse Campground, the County of San Diego said in a news release Wednesday.

Hantavirus is a severe and potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs. 

Symptoms of hantavirus include severe muscle aches, chills, fever or fatigue, headache or dizziness, nausea, vomiting or stomach pain and difficulty breathing.

Hantavirus can be spread from wild rodents invading living or storage areas that shed the virus in their urine, feces and saliva. When the matter dries, it can be stirred into the air where people could inhale the virus, according to county health officials.

"Wet cleaning" methods such as bleach or other disinfectants with gloves should be used to avoid exposure. Sweeping or vacuuming are not advised.

There is no cure or vaccine for hantavirus.