An adult in Douglas County has died from hantavirus, in a case that health officials say is not connected to the recent cruise ship outbreak.https://t.co/UeWJn6oEYR pic.twitter.com/F6Bab3LJ6I
— ABC4 News (@abc4utah) May 18, 2026
No additional information was released about the person who died, but the state said the case is not linked to the outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
“Hantavirus infections caused by the Sin Nombre hantavirus occur regularly in Colorado, usually in the spring and summer, and can cause a severe and sometimes deadly respiratory disease,” CDPHE said.
The deer mouse is the most common species that exposes people in Colorado to the virus, according to the state.
“I think it’s good to be cautious. I don’t think people should be panicked or overly concerned,” said Dr. Carrie Horn, chief medical officer at National Jewish Health. “I don’t think this is going to be a new widespread issue.”