HPS — Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Sin Nombre virus (SNV)

Sin Nombre virus is the most common hantavirus in North America and the cause of the original 1993 Four Corners hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak. Deer mouse populations track precipitation cycles, so case counts spike after wet years.

Primary rodent host
Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
Geographic range
Western United States, Canada, northern Mexico
Case-fatality rate
30 to 40 percent in confirmed HPS cases
Incubation
1 to 8 weeks, median around 2 to 4 weeks
Discovered
1993, Four Corners outbreak in the United States

Transmission

Inhalation of aerosolised deer mouse urine, droppings or saliva. No documented person-to-person transmission.

Key facts

  • Most North American HPS cases reported by U.S. CDC are SNV
  • No documented human-to-human transmission
  • Spring and summer rodent infestations drive case clusters
  • Aggressive supportive care including ECMO is the standard of care

Reporting agencies

CDCPAHOPHAC Canada
Sources: WHO, ECDC, U.S. CDC, PAHO and peer-reviewed virology and epidemiology literature.
Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for clinical advice.