10,000 Yosemite Visitors Possibly Exposed To Virus With 33% Kill Rate

Officials say six visitors to Yosemite National Park have contracted the deadly hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and as many as 10,000 may have been exposed. HPS kills one out of three people who contract it.

HPS constricts the lungs and impairs breathing. Inhaled dust contaminated by rodent droppings is thought to be the main vehicle for the virus’ transmission.

The National Park Service has already sent letters to 2,900 people who stayed in the Signature Tent Cabins at the wildly popular park. Estimates are that 10,000 people were in those cabins between June 10 and August 24.