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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