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.
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