Visitors to San Onofre State Beach have caused increased vigilance after recent surveillance activities confirmed the presence of hantavirus in local rodent populations. In a press release by the County of San Diego, officials reported that two mice collected from a campground trail at the coastal site tested positive for the virus, marking the latest in a series of similar findings within the county.
The detection of hantavirus in these rodents is not an outlier in San Diego County where, in 2024 alone, these instances account for the 19th and 20th positive tests, while human contact with the virus remains rare given the shy nature of wild rodents, this does pose a potential health risk that campers and visitors should be aware of, given there's no current cure or vaccine available for hantavirus. According to the County of San Diego issued by the county, symptoms can appear one to eight weeks post-exposure and manifest as severe muscle aches, fever, headaches, and in more serious cases, can progress to respiratory distress.
To prevent hantavirus, the County Vector Control team is working with campgrounds to educate visitors and staff. The virus spreads through rodent urine, feces, and saliva, so campers should be cautious in areas with rodents and see a doctor if they think they've been exposed.
The County Environmental Health and Quality provides additional resources and guidelines for handling potential hantavirus exposure. Concerned individuals can obtain more information by calling (858) 694-2888 or visiting the official hantavirus web page.
