30 Year Old Man Dies of Hantavirus

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 12:00 AM

The New Mexico Department of Health announced today that a 30-year-old man from San Juan County has died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). This is the third case of HPS in New Mexico this year. An environmental investigation will be conducted at the patient’s home to help reduce the risk to others.

From the NM Department of Health:

The New Mexico Department of Health announced today that a 30-year-old man from San Juan County has died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). An 84-year-old man from Santa Fe County is currently hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed HPS. These are the third and fourth cases of HPS in New Mexico this year. An environmental investigation will be conducted at each patient’s home to help reduce the risk to others.

Hantavirus is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings or saliva. People can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. The deer mouse is the main carrier for Sin Nombre virus, the Hantavirus strain found in New Mexico.

“Cleaning up rodent droppings and nesting material in enclosed spaces can concentrate the virus in stirred up particles that can be breathed in,” said Dr. Paul Ettestad, the department’s public health veterinarian. “People need to be very careful when they are doing their spring cleaning and when opening up sheds, cabins, and other buildings that have been closed up for the winter. Mice and other rodents may have moved and there may be fresh droppings and urine on the floor, benches, and other objects. Airing out cabins and sheds before entering them and wetting down droppings with a disinfectant before wiping them up can reduce the likelihood of being exposed to this virus.”

The Department of Health urges healthcare workers and the general public to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of Hantavirus. Early symptoms of Hantavirus infection include fever and muscle aches, possibly with chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain and cough which progresses to respiratory distress. These symptoms develop within one to six weeks after rodent exposure. Although there is no specific treatment for HPS, chances for recovery are better if medical attention is sought early.

Important steps to follow to prevent contracting Hantavirus include:

Air out closed-up buildings before entering
Trap mice until they are all gone
Clean up nests and droppings using a disinfectant

Don’t sweep up rodent droppings into the air where they can be inhaled
Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home
Get rid of trash and junk piles

Don’t leave your pet’s food and water where mice can get to it

The other cases of HPS in New Mexico earlier this year include a 54-year-old man from Cibola County who died and a 37-year-old woman from Sandoval County who recovered. In 2015, New Mexico had one case of HPS in a 53-year-old woman from Taos County who also survived. In 2014 New Mexico identified six HPS cases with three deaths.

For more information about Hantavirus, visit the Department’s website:

http://nmhealth.org/about/erd/ideb/zdp/hps/

More from Local News

Bus Service to Link Farmington to Durango, Albuquerque

The need for the route was identified in the Statewide Public Transportation Plan and will run between Albuquerque, Farmington, Bernalillo, Cuba and into Durango, CO. The new service line will run five days a week, with one round trip each day, providing access to Navajo Transit and Red Apple Transit in Farmington.
Two Fatally Shot in Durango, Suspect Shoots Self

Durango Police say that both victims from Monday night's shooting, Shelby Campbell (32) and Emma Sims (32), have passed away from their injuries. The suspect, Bradley Campbell (32), remains on life support with a gunshot wound to the head. Durango Police Detectives continue to investigate this incident, but there is no indication that anyone else was involved.
Murder-Suicide in busy Durango shopping area

Bystanders immediately called 911, prompting an emergency response from the Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff's Office, and Durango Fire & Rescue. First Responders arrived within minutes and began life-saving measures on both individuals. Both were transported to Mercy Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.