Understanding Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: Risks, Symptoms, and Prevention
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The recent passing of Betsy Arakawa, wife of the late actor Gene Hackman, due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has brought renewed attention to this rare but serious disease. See the updated blog post on what healthcare providers need to know about the risks, symptoms, and prevention of HPS here.
A Case in New Mexico
New Mexico recently reported its first case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in 2024, occurring in the northwest region of the state. Fortunately, the affected individual received treatment at the hospital and is currently recovering at home.
Sin Nombre Virus
The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is predominantly caused by the Sin Nombre virus, primarily carried by deer mice in the southwest United States. In other regions, such as the northeast, hantavirus infections have been linked to the white-footed mouse, while in the southeast, the cotton rat may carry a strain of the virus.
Transmission and Risk Factors
This virus is found in the droppings, urine, and saliva of infected rodents, posing a risk to human health, especially in residential settings like homes, cabins, or sheds. Exposure often occurs during activities such as opening or cleaning areas with rodent droppings, through contact with contaminated food, or by being bitten by an infected animal.
Symptoms and Severity
HPS can cause severe respiratory illness in humans, sometimes resulting in fatalities. In 2023, there were 17 recorded cases of HPS in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. New Mexico accounted for seven of these cases, including two deaths.
Symptoms of hantavirus typically develop 1-8 weeks after exposure to rodents or rodent droppings and may be non-specific, including fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and cough. While many infected individuals recover within 1-2 weeks, some may experience worsening conditions 4-10 days after symptom onset, progressing to severe respiratory illness.
Preventative Measures
HPS is not transmitted from person to person. However, the virus can persist on surfaces and in droppings and nests for hours to days after rodents have vacated the area. Care must be taken during cleaning, as sweeping and dusting can aerosolize infectious particles, increasing the risk of inhalation, which is thought to be the most common pathway of infection.
Early Identification and Health Care Practices
While there is currently no specific treatment for HPS, early identification is critical for improving outcomes. Health care professionals should follow the identify, isolate, and inform model. This includes using a universal symptom and travel screen at health care points of entry to facilitate the identification process. Using a broad approach to the travel screen to include travel within the United States and new high-risk exposures can be useful for early identification of patients with HPS.
Minimizing Risk: Practical Measures
To minimize the risk of exposure to hantavirus, individuals should take the following measures:
- Open and air out buildings such as cabins and sheds, and other areas that may have provided shelter or food, before entering.
- Employ effective trapping methods to eliminate rodents from the premises.
- Seal off potential entry points where rodents may enter homes or shelters.
- Before cleaning, treat nests, droppings, or contaminated surfaces with a disinfectant solution.
- Avoid sweeping up rodent droppings, shaking rugs, or dusting untreated contaminated surfaces to prevent the dispersal of viral particles into the air.
- When handling nests or contaminated articles, wear gloves, practice proper hand hygiene, and refrain from touching your face to minimize the risk of exposure
Learn more about HPS: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps/index.html.
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