What are some interesting facts about the history of hantavirus?

The hantavirus is a single-strand, enveloped and negative-sense RNA virus that belongs to the Bunyaviridae family. Contraction of the hantavirus can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a potentially fatal disease. Hantavirus infection usually occurs through contact with infected rodents or their droppings.

Natural recovery from the virus is possible with the right supportive care and treatment. The hantavirus was first identified during an outbreak that took place in Southwestern U.S. in 1993. Another outbreak occurred in Yosemite National Park during 2012, which was caused by deer mice. As of 2015, there have been no documented instances of human-to-human transmission of the virus.