Officials have confirmed the first case of the virus in the Texas panhandle.

Everything Lubbock reports that health officials publicly confirmed one case of hantavirus at an undisclosed county and city in the panhandle. It's the first case reported this year.

The hantavirus is quite rare, but it can be deadly. Two people on the South Plains died from the virus back in 2002.

According to the report, the virus is carried by certain species of rats and mice. It is spread by contact with rodent saliva, urine or fecal matter.

For symptoms and tips on preventing Hantavirus, visit the CDC's official website.

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