Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) remains a rare yet severe illness in the United States, with most cases reported west of the Mississippi River. Since its identification, there have been 864 reported cases in the U.S. between 1993 and 2022. New Mexico leads with 122 cases, followed closely by Colorado with 119. Despite its rarity, HPS is a serious condition caused by hantaviruses, which are carried by certain species of mice and rats, such as deer mice and cotton rats.
HPS develops through three distinct phases. Initially, the incubation phase lasts up to eight weeks, during which the virus resides in the body without any noticeable symptoms. Following this period, symptoms rapidly escalate to include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and more. Dr. Sonja Bartolome of UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas explains,
“Between one and eight weeks after that exposure, someone might begin to feel like they have a flu-like illness,” – Dr Sonja Bartolome
The third phase emerges four to ten days after initial symptoms and poses the greatest risk to life. During this stage, patients may experience severe respiratory distress, which can prove fatal if not promptly addressed. The Cleveland Clinic highlights that while recovery is possible for those who survive this phase, it usually takes several weeks.
The transmission of hantaviruses is predominantly through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. Fortunately, person-to-person transmission is exceedingly rare and has only been documented with certain hantavirus strains in Argentina and Chile. Dr. Bartolome notes that HPS primarily occurs in rural areas due to the prevalence of rodents carrying the disease there,
“It’s mostly in rural areas, because that’s where most of the rodents carrying the disease live,” – Bartolome
While no vaccine currently exists for HPS, individuals can mitigate their risk by adhering to recommended prevention strategies. The Cleveland Clinic advises measures such as sealing up homes to prevent rodent entry and avoiding contact with rodent droppings.
Hantaviruses are responsible for two syndromes: HPS and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although HPS is relatively rare in the U.S., its rapid progression and severity necessitate awareness and vigilance.