Hantavirus Ruled Out in Death of Woman With Flu-Like Symptoms

Laboratory tests have determined that something other than hantavirus killed a Hemet woman who died after cleaning a mountain cabin, authorities said Thursday.

Blood tests on the body of Donna Lynch, 44, proved negative for the virus, authorities said. An autopsy was planned for Thursday night, said Mark Lohman, spokesman for the Riverside County coroner.

Because the cause of Lynch’s death was unclear, pathologists planned to wear airtight suits and take extra security precautions, he said.

Results were expected in a day or two “if there is something obvious,” said Lohman. “Otherwise, if we have to wait for toxicology results, it could take weeks.”

Lynch had exhibited the sudden flu-like symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and the circumstances of her death in a Hemet hospital Friday led authorities to suspect hantavirus.

Lynch and her fiance, who also became sick, had been cleaning up a cabin they planned to buy in the Arrowbear area of the San Bernardino Mountains.

Humans usually get the virus by breathing dust from rodent droppings. Deer mice are the main carriers in California, so health officials began trapping deer mice in the area.