Symptoms Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a life-threatening illness caused by the genus hantaviruses. The case fatality rate ranges from thirty-five to fifty percent. There are five pathogenic hantaviruses responsible for disease in the United States: Sin Nombre hantavirus, New York virus, Monongahela virus, Black Creek Canal virus, and Bayou virus. Sin Nombre hantavirus causes most cases in the United States. Deer mice are the primary reservoir for Sin Nombre virus. Cotton rats, rice rats, and the white-footed mouse also carry the pathogen. Individuals become ill after inhaling or otherwise coming into contact with contaminated rodent droppings or saliva.