Deer mouse tests positive for hantavirus

A California deer mouse caught in routine trapping in the Santa Ysabel area has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus, the first positive testing of the virus in San Diego County in 2018.

County officials are reminding people that they should always protect themselves if they find rodents living in their homes, sheds and garages. In particular, they said people should never sweep up or vacuum up rodent nests and droppings if they find them. Officials said people should use “wet cleaning” methods instead if they have to clean, to keep hantavirus from being stirred into the air w...