A photojournalist who survived hantavirus infection 24 years ago recently shared his experience of contracting the rare but serious disease after losing two family members to it.

Gilbert Zermeño's mother and sister died from hantavirus in 2002. Following their deaths, Zermeño cleaned the family house and was exposed to rodent droppings during the process, which led to his own infection with the virus.

Hantavirus is transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, typically when these materials are disturbed and become airborne. The virus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory disease with a high fatality rate.

Zermeño survived his bout with the disease, making him among the fortunate minority of patients who recover from hantavirus infection. The disease has a mortality rate of approximately 36% according to health officials.

The case highlights the importance of proper safety precautions when cleaning areas that may have been contaminated by rodents, particularly in areas where hantavirus is known to occur.