A member of the Bunyaviridae family, the genus Hantavirus is responsible for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Disease transmission is associated with exposure to infected rodents, which are the primary reservoir for this virus. Hantavirus infections have been documented in people whose activities are associated with rodent contact, such as farming, hiking, or camping in rodent-infested areas and occupying rodent-infested dwellings.

Infected rodents shed the virus in their feces, urine, and saliva. Human infection may occur from inhalation, ingestion (of contaminated food or water, for example), contact with rodent excrement, or rodent bites.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can quickly progress to respiratory failure, possibly leading to death.

Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema distinguishes this syndrome. Common complaints include myalgia, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and cough. Respiratory distress typically follows the onset of a cough. Fever, hypoxia and, in some patients, serious hypotension typify the hospital course.

Other signs and symptoms include increased respiratory and heart rates.

Diagnosis currently rests mainly on clinical suspicion in conjunction with a process of elimination developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. (See Screening for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, page 354.)