Hantavirus
Hantavirus Fact Sheet
(PDF
66 KB) Hantavirus
pulmonary syndrome is a respiratory illness caused by infection with a group
of viruses called hantaviruses.
 Hantavirus
infections occur in several states in the U. S. as well as in many other
areas of North and South America. Sin Nombre virus is the most common of the
hantaviruses in the United States. It is usually responsible for infections
in the western states, including Colorado, and is carried by the deer mouse.
In 1993, a cluster of illnesses occurred in the Four Corners area of the
southwestern United States. This was the first incident where Sin Nombre
virus was identified.
There is no vaccine available for hantavirus.
Hantavirus is transmitted by the deer mouse; however, antibodies have also
been found in rats, the white-footed mouse, the chipmunk, and other rodents.
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