Coconino County has not reported any cases of hantavirus since 2016.
COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA — Coconino County is Hantavirus Since 2016.
The county announced Friday that there have been three reported cases of the virus being transmitted to humans through rodents in the past 15 months, two of which have resulted in deaths.
Statewide, Arizona has reported seven hantavirus cases and three deaths in the past six months.
The virus spreads to humans through airborne viral droplets that are spread by handling items contaminated with rodent urine, feces or saliva. Hantaviruses do not spread from person to person, county officials said.
Fever, headache, and difficulty breathing are common symptoms associated with hantavirus infection.
Hantaviruses may be present in many areas of the southwestern part of the country.
Coconino County recommends rodent-proofing your home and disinfecting areas contaminated by rodent droppings.
For more information on Hantavirus, here.
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix metropolitan area, considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
Besides Phoenix, the Valley also includes other major cities such as:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempeh
- Glendale
- surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or the “West Valley” depends on where it is located in relation to Phoenix.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the Valley region’s cities have a combined population of 4,845,832, making it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country, behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.
How big is Maricopa County?
According to the 2020 census, Maricopa County has a population of 4,485,414, making it the fourth most populous county in the United States.
The county is home to approximately 63% of Arizona’s population and covers an area of 9,224 square miles, which means the county is larger than seven U.S. states: Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Maricopa County is also home to one of the largest park systems in the country. The county has an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks, including hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers, campgrounds, and more.
The county seat is Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the fifth most populous city in the United States according to the census.
The county was named for a Native American tribe called the Maricopa or Piipache.
