Health officials with Mono and Inyo Counties said one Mono County resident died of hantavirus recently.

They said this is the first fatality caused by hantavirus in California this year, and the third confirmed case in Mono County in 2019.

Health officials said people can catch hantavirus by inhaling it when it is shed in mouse waste of infected deer mice. They said about one in three people with hantavirus dies. It's not contagious from person to person.

Health officials said exposure to hantavirus typically happens indoors where mouse waste may have accumulated.

They said hantavirus begins with a fever and flu-like symptoms, such as a headache and body aches, typically one to five weeks after inhaling the virus. Gastrointestinal symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and feeling short of breath. Health officials said when respiratory symptoms are not present at first but may develop over a few days, signaling increased change of deadly respiratory and heart failure. They said when people start having trouble breathing, their condition may rapidly worsen and become critical.

Health officials said there is no specific treatment for hantavirus, but high-level intensive care has allowed people with life-threatening illness to survive.

They said to decrease risk of hantavirus infection, open windows and doors of a potentially contaminated area and allow it to air out for at least 30 minutes before cleaning. Sweeping, vacuuming or other activities that stir up dust and dirt should be avoided. Health officials said spraying rodent carcasses, nests and droppings with a ten percent bleach solution (one part bleach, ten parts water) or a disinfectant can kill the virus. They said allow the solution to sit on the material for at least five minutes before wiping. Inspect vehicles for rodents as well.

You can find more information here.