Rats spreading deadly virus in Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Chile's health minister said rats displaced by wildfires in the Biobio region are spreading the life-threatening hantavirus to humans.

Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich said at least three people have died from the flu-like virus and another eight are thought to be infected with it, The Santiago Times reported.

Two of the deaths and eight separate infections have been linked to a prison in Conception. The third death was a man camping in the area.

Wildfires that were rampant in early January destroyed as much as 50,000 acres in southern Chile, causing the exodus of rodents to more inhabited areas.

Hantavirus is spread through the urine, feces and saliva of rats, especially deer mice. Humans can acquire it through direct contact or inhaling air contaminated with dust from the waste matter of infected animals.

Once the virus hits the lungs, there is less than a 50 percent chance of survival, the U.S. National Institutes of Health said.