Hantavirus confirmed in Santa Fe County resident
March 12, 2026
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health reported a Santa Fe County resident was hospitalized with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – the first case in New Mexico this year – and has since recovered.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a severe respiratory disease which is fatal in approximately a third of affected people. New Mexico recorded seven cases in 2025, with three of them fatal.
In New Mexico, deer mice are the primary carriers of hantavirus, though it can be found in other rodents. The virus is found in mouse droppings and urine. People are typically exposed to hantavirus around their homes, cabins or sheds, especially when cleaning out or exploring areas where there are mouse droppings.
LINK:
https://www.nmhealth.org/news/safety/2026/3/?view=2322
