Hantavirus infection overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents.

Historical Perspective

In May 1993, an outbreak of an unexplained pulmonary illness occurred in the southwestern United States, in an area shared by Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah known as "The Four Corners." A young, physically fit Navajo man suffering from shortness of breath was rushed to a hospital in New Mexico and died very rapidly.

Pathophysiology

Hantaviruses belong to the bunyavirus family of viruses. There are 5 genera within the family: bunyavirus, phlebovirus, nairovirus, tospovirus, and hantavirus. Each is made up of negative-sensed, single-stranded RNA viruses. All these genera include arthropod-borne viruses, with the exception of hantavirus, which is rodent-borne. The illness mainly goes through two stages, namely the prodromal phase and the cardiopulmonary phase.

Risk Factors

Little is known about activities that lead to a greater risk of infection. However, an early case-control study suggests that increased numbers of rodents in the household is the strongest risk factor for infection.

Diagnosis

Laboratory Findings

A positive serological test result, evidence of viral antigen in tissue by immunohistochemistry, or the presence of amplifiable viral RNA sequences in blood or tissue, with compatible history of HPS, is considered diagnostic for HPS.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

There is no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine for hantavirus infection. However, we do know that if infected individuals are recognized early and receive medical care in an intensive care unit, they may do better.

Primary Prevention

Eliminate or minimize contact with rodents in your home, workplace, or campsite. Seal up holes and gaps in your home or garage. Place traps in and around your home to decrease rodent infestation. Clean up any easy-to-get food. Recent research results show that many people who became ill with HPS developed the disease after having been in frequent contact with rodents and/or their droppings around a home or a workplace. On the other hand, many people who became ill reported that they had not seen rodents or rodent droppings at all. Therefore, if you live in an area where the carrier rodents are known to live, try to keep your home, vacation place, workplace, or campsite clean.