Pandemic Watch
Hantavirus in the United States US
Hantavirus disease in the United States is dominated by Sin Nombre virus and presents as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Cumulative reported cases since 1993 surveillance began exceed 800, with a roughly 36 percent case-fatality rate. The geographic centre of gravity is the arid Four Corners and broader Mountain West — New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Montana — though cases have been reported from more than 35 states.
Circulating strains
Hantavirus strains documented in the United States. HPS = Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (Americas, predominantly fatal lung involvement). HFRS = Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (Eurasia, kidney involvement).
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- Rodent reservoir
- Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Case-fatality rate
- 36-38%
- Person-to-person spread
- Not documented
Dominant HPS strain in North America. Cases peak in spring and summer following wet winters that boost the deer mouse population.
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- Rodent reservoir
- Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
- Case-fatality rate
- 1-2%
- Person-to-person spread
- Not documented
Effectively a global urban hantavirus. Distribution follows its rat reservoirs through ports and cities; clusters in the UK and US have been linked to pet rat ownership.
Outbreak context
The 1993 Four Corners outbreak (initially called 'Sin Nombre' for 'no-name virus' because the pathogen was unknown) established HPS as a distinct disease. The 2012 Yosemite cluster produced 10 cases and three deaths among tent-cabin guests.
Past outbreaks involving the United States
- 1996 - Ebola-like Reston virus in monkeys 2021-06-08 archived
- 1996 - Ebola-Reston Investigation, Philippines - Update 2021-06-08 archived
- 1997 - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in the Americas 2021-06-08 archived
- 2000 - Ebola haemorrhagic fever - Update 8 2021-06-07 60 deaths
- 2000 - Ebola haemorrhagic fever - Update 17 2021-06-07 81 deaths
- Ebola virus disease – United States of America 2014-10-01 archived
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – Yosemite National Park, United States of America – update 2012-09-12 archived
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – Yosemite National Park, United States of America 2012-09-04 archived
See the complete hantavirus outbreak history for United States — year-grouped, with case counts and per-bulletin briefings.
