Hantavirus suspected; autopsy to determine cause of his death
Park County Deputy Joseph Edward Ybarra Hamilton, 29, the father of two children, died suddenly on Oct. 14, the Park County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release.
Hamilton, who had been a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office since June 2, 2012, was in good health, said Undersheriff Monte Gore. Details at The Flume's website at
www.theflume.com
From the Flume....quote: "Medical authorities suspect Hamilton may have been exposed to hantavirus, a life-threatening respiratory disease spread to humans by rodents that is present in their droppings, urine and saliva, Gore said.
An autopsy is being performed to determine the official cause of death.
Funeral arrangements are being made by Hamilton’s family. No specific time or date had been set as of the morning of Oct. 17, according to officials with the Sheriff’s Office.
People may get hantavirus by breathing in air contaminated by the virus, said John Pape, chief epidemiologist who specializes in animal-related diseases for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver.
David Volkel, with the Jefferson County Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Services Zoonosis Program, said cases of hantavirus are rare, “especially this far north and up in the hills.”
Rather, the Four Corners area – which encompasses the southwestern corner of Colorado, northwestern corner of New Mexico, northeastern corner of Arizona and southeastern corner of Utah – have been more of an epicenter for the virus.
Pape said the incubation period for the disease varies widely – from about one week to six weeks – and symptoms typically include a high fever, headache, muscle pain, and severe abdominal, joint and lower back pain, nausea and vomiting.
Gore said in Hamilton’s case, the deputy began feeling sick on Saturday evening."
Given all this is accurate, he seems to have succumbed possibly within a day or two of "exposure" ....we should be cautious. Although not common up here it seems, it MAY have actually happened. Hopefully more facts to follow after the autopsy.
