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	NARRATOR: Native Americans have several relevant theories about a deadly disease carried by mice.
	(Herman Shorty, Director, Office of Environmental Health, Navajo Nation Division of Health) HERMAN SHORTY: Traditional Navajos have noticed that when there is an increase in rain... ...and an increase in the pinon crops and the other food support for the rodents... ...there is an an increase in the rodent population and activities... ...shortly after that there are a high number of deaths among young healthy individuals.
	The relationship is such that in 1918, 1933, and 1934, and most recently in 1993 that the combination of all those elements brought again deaths among young healthy Navajos.

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This page last reviewed February 28, 2000.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases
Special Pathogens Branch