Oklahoma Health Department Confirms Hantavirus Death In Texas County

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first hantavirus death of 2014.

The department reported Thursday that an adult in Texas County has died due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a disease carried by wild rodents.

Health officials believe the victim was exposed after dust was stirred into the air while cleaning a rodent-infested area.

It is the fifth hantavirus case in Oklahoma since the disease was first recognized in the United States in 1993. There were two cases discovered last year, and both of those individuals died. All of the cases have been in northwestern Oklahoma.

Health officials are warning residents to be aware of the presence of wild rodents when cleaning up houses, barns or outbuildings, especially in northwestern Oklahoma.