25-year-old McKinley County man is third fatal Hantavirus case in NM

A 25-year-old McKinley County man has died from an illness contracted via Hantavirus, the New Mexico Department of Health announced Tuesday.

The man died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). His case was the fifth case of HPS in the state so far in 2016, and the third death.

The virus is transmitted by rodents – primarily the deer mouse in New Mexico — via urine, dropping and saliva. People contract HPS by breathing in the virus.

Early symptoms of Hantavirus include fever and aches, headaches, nausea, abdominal pain and a cough, which can eventually progress. They sometimes do not develop for up to six weeks after the person is exposed to the virus.

Anyone with similar symptoms is advised to contact a doctor immediately.

There was only one case of HPS in the state in 2015; the woman survived. In 2014, there were six cases, three of which were fatal.