What is the Hantavirus

Monday, May 31, 1999 | 3:46 a.m.

Hantavirus at a glance:

-The hantavirus strain identified in the Southwest in 1993 is called Sin Nombre.

-It is carried primarily by deer mice and is transmitted through urine, feces or saliva, either by direct contact or when contaminated dust is inhaled.

-Symptoms, flu-like at first, show up one to six weeks after exposure.

-Nearly 45 percent of cases result in death.

-There has been no human-to-human transmission in North America.

-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta confirmed 211 U.S. cases as of March 19.

-Cases have been confirmed in 30 states, with most cases in the West.

-New Mexico has had 42 cases, with 22 deaths.

-Colorado has had 17 cases, with 11 deaths.

-Arizona has had 26 cases, with six deaths.

-Utah has had 13 cases, with four deaths.

-Cases of hantavirus have been reported in Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.

-Other hantavirus strains causing human disease in the United State are carried by cotton rats, white-footed mice and rice rats.

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