Rodent Disease Found In Oregon

PORTLAND - Evidence of a respiratory disease that can be transmitted to humans through rodent droppings has been found in Oregon, the Oregon Health Division says.

The disease, called hantavirus, was found in one of 15 deer mice trapped last month near The Dalles. Earlier this summer, tests confirmed that the mysterious death of a 16-year-old boy last year in The Dalles was due to hantavirus. Jared Leavitt, who died July 4, 1992, is the only known Oregon victim.

Hantavirus is blamed for the deaths of about 20 people in the United States.