SO FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN TWO CASES OF HANTAVIRUS IN NEW MEXICO THIS YEAR, AND NOW ONE OF THEM HAS TURNED FATAL. CHAD SMELSER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THE VIRUS HAS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A 73 YEAR OLD SANTA FE COUNTY WOMAN. IT'S THE FIRST EVER DEATH ATTRIBUTED TO THE RODENT-BORNE VIRUS IN SANTA FE COUNTY.
SMELSER SAYS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS DOING AN ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AT THE WOMAN'S RESIDENCE. HE SAYS THEY LOOK AROUND THE PROPERTY, AND EDUCATE THE RESIDENTS ABOUT THE DISEASE AND HOW IT SPREADS.
THE OTHER CASE THIS YEAR WAS A 45 YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM MCKINLEY COUNTY WHO SURVIVED.
