There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection, according to the CDC, but the earlier the patient is brought to intensive care, the better.

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According to Ms. Cox, the low number of infections, and the highly specific nature of the infection, meant it was unlikely to present a threat to most users.

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The researchers say the new model can help determine ways to contain an infection in a specific area, and can also help public health officials made decisions about treatment and vaccines in the early days of a contagion.

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For other infections, particularly viruses, the primary treatment options are: vaccination to prevent infection, antiviral agents that only work against specific viruses (sometimes only specific strains of viruses) and just doing the best you can do to keep a patient healthy and hydrated while their own immune system does the heavy lifting.

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Olean General had not identified any specific patients who may have received an injection from another patient's pen and knew of no cases of infection, Finan said in a news release.

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