Health Alert
HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME (HPS) CASES ASSOCIATED WITH STAYING IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) alerts the medical community to consider the diagnosis of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in patients who may have had recent exposure to rodents or a history of travel to Yosemite National Park in California between June and August 2012.

Symptoms

HPS is a febrile illness characterized by bilateral interstitial pulmonary infiltrates and respiratory compromise usually requiring supplemental oxygen and clinically resembling acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS). The patients typically present with fever, chills, myalgia, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms that rapidly progress into respiratory distress requiring supplemental oxygen and/or intubation, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and shock.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment available, but early recognition and administration of supportive care greatly increase the chance of survival.

Background

Since June 10, 2012, six confirmed cases of HPS have been associated with staying at Yosemite National Park in California. Two of the ill persons died. Additional suspected cases are being investigated from multiple health jurisdictions.

Reporting

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is considered a rapidly reportable disease in Delaware. (“Rapidly reportable” means report immediately by telephone, fax or other electronic means.)

Other conditions require reporting within 24 hours (such as STDs) or 48 hours. Laboratories and healthcare providers are required to report any suspected case to DPH, Bureau of Epidemiology (1-888-295-5156 or 1-302-744-1033). An epidemiologist is available 24/7 to take your call.

Transmission

HPS is an acute, zoonotic viral disease that is spread by contact with infected rodents, primarily deer mice. Most persons with HPS are infected by breathing in small viral particles from rodent urine or droppings that have been stirred up into the air. The fatality rate is approximately 36%.

There is no known person-to-person transmission.

Diagnosis

Laboratory testing of patients with symptoms consistent with HPS is required to confirm the diagnosis. HPS-specific testing can be done with serum or whole blood, or with tissue samples in fatal cases. Please contact DPH Bureau of Epidemiology at 1-888-295-5156 to coordinate testing and Delaware Public Health Laboratory at 302-223-1520 for courier pickup.

Additional Information

• DPH, Bureau of Epidemiology (24/7): 1-888-295-5156
• Delaware Public Health Laboratory: 302-223-1520
• Visit CDC’s Hantavirus webpage at: http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/technical/hps/index.html

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