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The incubation period is typically about one to eight weeks after exposure. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome usually starts with several days of nonspecific prodromal symptoms including fever, muscle aches, headache, chills, nonproductive cough, and sometimes gastrointes- tinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Cardiopul- monary symptoms resulting in respiratory distress due to pulmonary edema occurs within approximately seven days. There is no specific treatment or cure for hantavi- rus infection. Treatment of patients with HPS remains supportive in nature.
HPS is a rare disease with only 20 – 40 cases diagnosed per year in the United States. However, about 40% of Sin Nombre hantavirus cases are fatal.
ACTIONS FOR CLINICIANS:
• Consider a diagnosis of hantavirus even in individuals who have not traveled
• Assess for recent rodent exposure
• Report all suspected cases to public health
• Lab testing typically includes serology testing.
More information on specimen submission is on the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/ health-care-workers/specimen-submission/ protocol.html
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HPS, VISIT
https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/
• Facts about hanta
• Cleaning up after rodents
• “Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome—United States: Updated Recommendations for Risk Reduction”
• HPS Technical FAQs
• COVID-19 vs. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
• Local info on rodent control: washtenaw.org/mice
• MDHHS press release
Volume 73 • Number 2 Washtenaw County Medical Society BULLETIN 27