Rodent Virus Now Linked to Six Deaths

Doctors are being urged to carefully watch patients who have undergone organ transplant and blood transfusions after at least six deaths were linked to a rodent-borne virus in the past two years.

Though there's no evidence that the deaths are anything but rare, recent discoveries that rabies and West Nile virus can spread through donated organs has officials worried that the latest virus might have gone undetected before now.

Rhode Island and Massachusetts officials said Monday they are investigating the deaths of three people who got infected organs from a female donor whose pet hamster tested positive for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, or LCMV. A fourth organ recipient is believed to be recovering. ... more