Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Sin Nombre virus

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a severe life-threatening illness caused by a hantavirus now named the Sin Nombre virus. It causes acute respiratory disease, and is carried in wild rodents.  The main reservoir for the Sin Nombre virus is the deer mouse. This virus was first recognized and identified in 1993 when a cluster of cases was reported in the four corners area of the southwestern U.S. Investigations completed since the virus was first identified in 1993 indicate the presence of Sin Nombre virus throughout most of the continental U.S. and the presence of the virus has now been documented as far back as 1959.  Rodents are the natural hosts for all hantaviruses. Humans are thought to be infected from exposure to rodent droppings, urine or saliva.  Rodents may be chronically infected with hantavirus and shed the virus for months.  Up to 10% of rodents are infected with Sin Nombre in some Nebraska counties.  At least one case of HPS has been reported in Nebraska and most of the surrounding states have also had reports of HPS in humans.  There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission for any of the known hantaviruses.   The only way to prevent hantavirus is to limit exposure to rodents or their droppings.