A man in his 50s in rural Multnomah County is recovering from Oregon's ninth reported case of hantavirus, the county health department said Wednesday.

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His is the first case reported in Multnomah County.

Rodents carry hantavirus. They excrete virus particles in urine, droppings and saliva. People can become infected when they inhale the virus, often while cleaning up rodent droppings or nests.

The virus was first recognized in 1993 in the southwestern United States. It been identified throughout the country and Oregon, the health department said.

The state's first case was from Wasco County in 1993, and the most recently reported case was from Deschutes County in 2006.

The health department said symptoms initially are similar to those of the flu, but can worsen so that breathing gets difficult and hospitalization is required.

The health department said in a statement that deer mice are the primary carrier in Oregon.

The animals have large eyes and ears and a bicolored tail but may be difficult to identify on the move, the department said, so "it is good to consider all mice potentially infected."