Novel Focus of Sin Nombre Virus in Peromyscus eremicus Mice, Death Valley National Park, California, USA

Abstract

The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the primary reservoir for Sin Nombre virus (SNV) in the western United States. Rodent surveillance for hantavirus in Death Valley National Park, California, USA, revealed cactus mice (P. eremicus) as a possible focal reservoir for SNV in this location. We identified SNV antibodies in 40% of cactus mice sampled.

Keywords

• Sin Nombre virus
• hantavirus
• Peromyscus eremicus
• cactus mice
• Death Valley
• Scotty’s Castle