A recently deceased Lake Tahoe man has tested positive for hantavirus.

Placer County health officials made the announcement Wednesday, stating that the man — who was not identified — likely contracted the virus from rodents in the home where he worked and lived.

Officials do not believe the public is at ongoing risk from the source of infection associated with the man’s death.

“We are very sorry to announce that hantavirus was involved in this tragic death of one of our community members,” Placer County Health Officer Dr. Rob Oldham said in a press release. “This unfortunate loss reminds us that hantavirus is very dangerous. But the silver lining is that hantavirus infections are quite rare and can be prevented. It appears that the source associated with this fatal infection has been cleaned.”

Hantavirus can be carried by rodents, which shed the virus in their urine, droppings and saliva, according to officials. Infection occurs when an individual breathes air contaminated with the virus. This is most common when someone stirs up rodent droppings or nesting material while cleaning a contaminated room such as a shed or a cabin.

The virus is not transmitted person to person.

Symptoms of hantavirus infection typically appear within two to four weeks after an exposure, but can appear as early as one week or as late as eight weeks after infection.

Initial symptoms resemble the flu: fever, headache and abdominal, back and joint pain, according to health officials. Nausea and vomiting can occur. The main symptom is difficulty breathing, which is caused by fluid building up in the lungs.

People should seek medical help if symptoms appear after direct or indirect exposure to rodents, especially if they experience difficulty breathing.

Visit bit.ly/CDPHhantavirus for more information on hantavirus, including videos on how to trap and clean up rodents.