4th NM hantavirus case of 2009 reported

LAS CRUCES (AP) - Two people — a 22-year-old man from Rio Arriba County and a 61-year-old woman from Taos County — are hospitalized in Albuquerque with hantavirus.

The state Department of Health said New Mexico has reported four cases this year of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

A 25-year-old woman from Santa Fe County and a 65-year-old man from San Miguel County contracted the illness earlier. Both have recovered.

New Mexico had two cases, both fatal, last year.

Hantavirus is contracted by breathing particles of rodent droppings, urine or saliva.

Health Department veterinarian Paul Ettestad says most people get the deadly disease when cleaning out enclosed areas that have mouse droppings.

Early symptoms include fever and muscle aches, a headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and a cough.