Mouse in Escondido tests positive for hantavirus

A western harvest mouse collected in Escondido has tested positive for hantavirus and San Diego County officials are reminding people to never sweep or vacuum up after rodents if they find them in homes, garages, sheds and living spaces.

The mouse was collected by County Vector Control surveillance in routine monitoring. Vector Control monitors the populations of vectors – animals like ticks, rodents and mosquitoes – that can transmit diseases to people.

The main carriers of hantavirus are wild rodents, particularly wild mice.

Rodents shed the virus through their urine, droppings and saliva. H...