An Idaho teenager died in October from the rodent-borne hantavirus infection, new tests show.
The 14-year-old Coeur d'Alene boy, who was not identified, came down with flu-like symptoms, then developed severe respiratory problems, Dr. Paul Stepak said Monday .The boy was taken to a Spokane hospital and died soon after, said Stepak, a Spokane County health district epidemiologist.
Test results show the death was linked to the virus, which is associated with exposure to the droppings of deer mice.
At least 48 cases of the illness have been identified in 12 states, and 28 people, including the Idaho teen, have died, health officials said.
The disease was first recognized in the southwestern United States seven months ago. It has since been linked to respiratory illnesses as far back as September 1990, health officials said.