Hantavirus

Introduction: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.

You can become infected by exposure to their droppings, and the first signs of sickness (especially fever and muscle aches) appear 1 to 5 weeks later, followed by shortness of breath and coughing. Once this phase begins, the disease progresses rapidly, necessitating hospitalization and often ventilation within 24 hours. Prevention is the best strategy, and it simply means taking some very practical steps to minimize your contact with rodents. HPS is not contagious from person to person in the United States.

-- Frequently Asked Questions -- What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)? Who is at risk of contracting HPS? Which rodents are known to be carriers of hantavirus that cause HPS in humans? How is HPS transmitted? Can you contract HPS from another person? Can you contract HPS from other animals? How long can hantavirus remain infectious in the environment?

A case map of the United States with the total 465 HPS cases differentiated by state. States not listed have not had confirmed cases. Five cases were reported with unknown state of residence.

States and Number of HPS Cases
Arizona 51 California 45 Colorado 55 Florida 1 Idaho 18 Illinois 2 Indiana 2 Iowa 6 Kansas 12 Louisiana 1 Massachusetts 1	Minnesota 2 Montana 27 Nebraska 7 Nevada 18 New Mexico 72 New York 1 North Carolina 1 North Dakota 9 Oklahoma 2 Oregon 8 Pennsylvania 4	Rhode Island 1 South Dakota 12 Texas 33 Utah 25 Vermont 1 Virginia 2 Washington 32 West Virginia 1 Wisconsin 1 Wyoming 7 Unknown 5
Total cases = 465

Geographic Distribution: The temporal distribution of cases since 1992 shows a major peak that corresponds to the outbreak that occurred in June and July of 1993 in the Four Corners area (shared by Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah), where the disease was first recognized. The distribution reflects a spring-summer seasonality for all identified cases, although cases occur throughout the year.

Cases have been reported in 32 states, including most of the western half of the country and some eastern states as well. Over half of the confirmed cases have been reported from areas outside the Four Corners area.

About three-quarters of patients with HPS have been residents of rural areas.

Cases of HPS have also been reported in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, making this syndrome a pan-American zoonosis.