Panic as Arizona hantavirus case known as ‘Sin Nombre’ kills 1

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-02 23:26:04 | Updated at 2026-06-07 13:11:06 4 days ago

Officials in Arizona are warning about the presence of a hantavirus known as “Sin Nombre” following the death of a person infected in the city of Kingman.

A report from the Mohave County Department of Public Health confirmed that a resident had died from the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) illness.

Officials said the individual’s exposure to the virus “could not be determined” and they could not rule out local transmission.

Officials said the exposure to the local resident “could not be determined,” per the report. Getty Images

Aerial view of the Hondius cruise ship docked in the port of Rotterdam. ANP/AFP via Getty Images

“Although hantavirus is uncommon, awareness and prevention are important, especially for people spending time outdoors or cleaning areas where rodents may be present,” Health Director Melissa Palmer said in the press release.

Health officials cautioned that the “Sin Nombre” type is not the same as the hantavirus “Andes,” which made headlines after a deadly outbreak on a cruise ship.

“This hantavirus case is related to the Sin Nombre virus strain and is not related to the Andes virus outbreak associated with the MV Hondius cruise ship,” the report said.

Officials in Arizona are warning about the presence of Hantavirus following the death of person infected Getty Images

“Sin Nombre virus is not known to spread from person to person. Most infections occur when individuals breathe in dust contaminated with the urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials of infected rodents.”

“Sin Nombre” is considered rare and it is typically carried by deer mice. Officials said they are still letting the public know so people keep an eye out for troubling signs in case of exposure.

Some of those signs, which can develop in seven to eight days after exposure, include:

Fever
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Headache
Dizziness
Chills
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Health officials caution that the “Sin Nombre” infection is not the same as the Hantavirus “Andes” connected to the outbreak on a cruise ship. Getty Images

Symptoms can go from shortness of breath to death, per the CDC. AP Photo/Patrick Post

A yellow “No Entry Bio Hazard Zone” sign hangs on a metal fence in front of a red and white striped tower. NurPhoto via Getty Images

If problems persist, individuals can experience more severe conditions like coughing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

“These viruses can cause severe illness or death in humans,” according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Anyone experiencing these symptoms after potential rodent exposure should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about the exposure.”

Kingman, located in northwest Arizona, is about 100 miles from bright lights of Las Vegas and about 50 miles from the California border.