Muerto Canyon virus (MCV) is primarily carried by which animal?

The Muerto Canyon virus (MCV) is primarily carried by deer mice. This association is supported by the fact that rodent species, particularly deer mice, are common reservoirs for hantaviruses, including MCV. These mice can harbor the virus without showing symptoms, allowing it to persist in the environment and be transmitted to humans through inhalation or contact with contaminated surfaces or materials.

Deer mice are particularly significant in the ecology of many viral diseases, as their behaviors and habitats facilitate the spread of the virus. Understanding the role of deer mice in the ecology of MCV is crucial for prevention and control measures related to this zoonotic disease.

Other animals, such as woodchucks, beavers, and skunks, do not have this established association with MCV and are not known to be significant reservoirs for the virus. The specificity of deer mice as the primary carriers highlights the importance of studying rodent populations in the context of public health and environmental health risks.