by A Grand Canyon National Park employee in Arizona has been confirmed to have been exposed to hantavirus, a rare but often fatal disease. The case was confirmed by Coconino County health officials shortly after the July 4 holiday weekend. In a separate incident, rabies was also detected in a bat found near Kanab Creek Canyon.
Why It Matters
- Hantavirus is rare but extremely serious, with a 38% fatality rate for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
- Rabies exposure is also dangerous and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
- The Grand Canyon is a major tourist destination, raising concern for both workers and visitors.
What to Know About the Hantavirus Case
- The infected employee developed symptoms of HPS on June 20 and was treated at Flagstaff Medical Center.
- They have since been released from the hospital and are recovering.
- Officials did not disclose how the employee was exposed to the virus.
- The CDC says hantavirus is spread mainly through rodent urine, droppings, or saliva—especially from deer mice, which are common in the Grand Canyon area.
- The virus is not typically spread from person to person, though rare cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported in South America.
- Five cases of hantavirus have been reported in Arizona so far in 2025, according to local health officials.
- The National Park Service is implementing extensive cleaning measures to prevent further exposure.
About the Rabies Exposure
- A bat found near Kanab Creek Canyon tested positive for rabies.
- Two individuals who had physical contact with the bat received medical evaluation and treatment.
- Park officials are monitoring the situation and have issued public health warnings.
CDC Recommendations
- Avoid contact with rodent droppings, urine, and saliva.
- Clean up rodent areas using protective gear and proper disinfection methods.
- Ensure rodent control around homes, cabins, and park areas.
- Avoid contact with wild animals, especially bats, which are common carriers of rabies.
Context and Ongoing Monitoring
- Hantavirus has previously been linked to national parks, including a notable outbreak at Yosemite National Park in 2012.
- Public health authorities in Arizona continue to monitor rodent populations and enforce hantavirus safety protocols at the Grand Canyon.
- Rabies cases are rare but taken seriously due to the fatal nature of the disease if left untreated.
Park officials urge the public to stay informed, take appropriate precautions, and report any encounters with wildlife that could pose a health risk.
