Assessing prevention measures and sin nombre hantavirus seroprevalence among workers at Yosemite National Park

A study assessing Sin Nombre hantavirus (SNV) seroprevalence among workers at Yosemite National Park found no widespread SNV infections despite frequent exposure to deer mice, a known carrier of the virus. The research, conducted in 2012, involved voluntary blood testing and questionnaires for 526 participants from two major employers. Only one participant showed evidence of previous SNV infection, while others reported common rodent infestations at work and home but inconsistent adherence to safety protocols during cleanup tasks. The findings underscore the importance of consistent training and strict adherence to prevention policies for high-risk activities involving deer mice exposure.

Wilken, J. A., Jackson, R., Materna, B. L., Windham, G. C., Enge, B., Messenger, S., Xia, D., Knust, B., Buttke, D., Roisman, R.,. (2015). Assessing prevention measures and sin nombre hantavirus seroprevalence among workers at Yosemite National Park. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 58(6), 658–667. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22445