Hantavirus
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a reportable disease in Oklahoma. HPS is an illness caused by a variety of viruses called hantaviruses. The hantavirus responsible for HPS in Oklahoma and throughout the southwestern United States is the Sin Nombre Virus, which is carried in wild rodents such as deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus).
Persons become infected after breathing in the virus when it is aerosolized from urine, droppings, or saliva from infected rodents. Most cases in the U.S. have been associated with: occupying rodent-infested vacant cabins or other dwellings, cleaning barns or other outbuildings, disturbing rodent-infested areas while hiking or camping, planting or harvesting fields, and living in or visiting areas where there has been an increase in rodents. The virus may also be spread by handling infected rodents, their nests or droppings and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, being bitten by an infected rodent, and possibly eating food contaminated by an infected rodent. Hantavirus is not spread from one person to another. The mice do not appear ill while carrying the virus. The hantaviruses that cause HPS in the U.S. are not known to be transmitted by any types of animals other than certain species of rodents, particularly the deer mouse.
The first symptoms, appearing from a few days up to six (usually two to three) weeks after infection with the virus, are flu-like and may include: fever, muscle and body aches, chills, cough, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling tired. The lungs then begin filling with fluid, making breathing difficult.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for HPS. However, persons with HPS who receive medical care early in the course of illness in an intensive care unit may do better. While in intensive care, patients are often placed on a machine that helps them breathe during the period of severe respiratory distress. Overall, 36% of people with HPS are expected to die due to the illness.
How to prevent exposure to Hantavirus:
How to discourage rodents: Indoors:
Outdoors:
Hantavirus Fact Sheets and Information: Hantavirus Fact Sheet (62k.pdf) Hantavirus Hoja Informativa (48k.pdf)
External Hantavirus Resources: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (CDC) Hantavirus Infections (Medline)