Airman at Fort Bliss died of hantavirus

Houston Chronicle ^ | Feb. 28, 2006 | NA

[neverdem]

Associated Press

EL PASO — An airman who was training at Fort Bliss for deployment to Iraq died of a deadly virus linked to rodents, an Air Force official said today.

Senior Airman Leonard Hankerson Jr., 24, a security forces patrolman, died Feb. 11 at William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso. He was assigned to a squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz.

Autopsy results confirmed last week that Hankerson had hantavirus, said Lt. Col. John Paradis, a Luke Air Force Base spokesman. The disease is transmitted to humans when they inhale particles of dried urine, feces or saliva from an infected rodent.

He said it is unclear how or where Hankerson contracted hantavirus.

Fort Bliss officials have started cleaning barracks and other locations where Hankerson spent time to help prevent any spread of the virus.

[SweetCaroline]

Never, ever drink from soda cans or use a can opener to open canned food without washing them off first.

[Cornpone]

You are absolutely right. I probably set this off on the wrong path by focusing on the agent of death rather than its victim. That's one of the unfortunate aspects of this board. My intention was good but misguided and misinterpreted. Sometimes the wrong thing said at the wrong time diverts attention from the real story. In this case, one of our heroes has given their life in the service of our country. For that we should all be grateful and to him and his family we owe a debt of gratitude and honor. Senior Airman Leonard Hankerson Jr. and his family will be in my prayers tonight. Thank you sargunner.