Federal investigators last week recommended that National Park Service officials review any design changes in privately-run lodging at Yosemite National Park to prevent another hantavirus outbreak like the one blamed for three deaths last year.
Investigators determined that deer mice, which can carry the illness, nested inside the double walls of the new tents in Yosemite’s Curry Village. Eight of the nine tourists who got sick had stayed in the tent cabins.
The report by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General found that Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, which ran the cabins, added rafters and wall studs as part of routine maintenance, which does not require prior approval.
The report also recommended that the park service begin cyclical pest monitoring and inspections of all public accommodations.
While there is a current pest monitoring program at Yosemite, Delaware North was responsible for Curry Village, which was not considered at high risk for hantavirus. Prior to the outbreak, Delaware only responded to pests in the cabins when visitors or housekeeping staff complained, the report said.
Delaware North immediately said it will follow the recommendations in the report, and has removed the Signature Tent Cabins from Curry Village.
