Health officials confirm case of Seoul virus in Utah County
The virus is a rare type of hantavirus carried by rats and a case in Utah County is related to pet rats, according to the Utah County Health Department. PROVO — The Utah County Health Department and Utah Department of Health confirmed Tuesday a local case of Seoul virus infection, which has popped up in 14 other states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most symptoms of the virus are minor, Utah Department of Health officials said it has the possibility of leading to kidney failure. The CDC recommended that those who have had recent or current illness after handling rats should get their blood tested. CDC officials said last week the source of the virus comes from a pet breeding facility and that rats in Utah were among states where rats might be infected.
Rat-borne Seoul virus diagnosed in Utah County resident
Whether there's a link between that facility and the Utah rattery is part of the local investigation, said Aislynn Tolman-Hill, Utah County Health Department spokesperson. The rat-borne hantavirus illness was detected in a Utah County resident who had direct contact with a now defunct rat-breeding facility, according to state and Utah County health officials. A CDC advisory noted that ratteries sometimes ship rodents, so infected rodents may have been distributed to ratteries in other states. The Seoul virus form of hantavirus is spread by contact with fluids from an infected rat, including feces, urine and saliva. And handling an infected rat can expose a healthy rat to the virus, unless hygiene precautions are taken.collected by :Sandra Alex
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