Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Outbreak Linked to Human and Environmental Factors

Strategic Insights -

A hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) outbreak occurred in southwestern Panama in late 1999 and early 2000, resulting in 22% case fatality. The outbreak was linked to the Costa Rican pigmy rice rat, Oligoryzomys fulvescens costaricensis, which harbored a previously undescribed hantavirus, Choclo virus. In addition, the Cherrie's cane rat, Zygodontomys brevicauda cherriei, was identified as carrying a distinct hantavirus, Calabazo virus with no known pathogenicity to humans. The outbreak investigation found significant differences in small mammal community structure between case sites and a negative control site, suggesting that human activities and environmental factors may have synergistically increased the risk of HPS to area residents.

Key Takeaways:

  • The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) outbreak in southwestern Panama occurred in late 1999 and early 2000, resulting in 22% case fatality.
  • The outbreak was linked to the Costa Rican pigmy rice rat, Oligoryzomys fulvescens costaricensis, which harbored a then-underscribed hantavirus, Choclo virus.
  • The Cherrie's cane rat, Zygodontomys brevicauda cherriei, was identified as carrying a distinct hantavirus, Calabazo virus with no known pathogenicity to humans.
  • A total of 164 animals were captured, of which 126 were potential small, non-volant mammal hosts of a hantavirus.
  • The investigation found significant differences in small mammal community structure between case sites and a negative control site.
  • The authors concluded that human activities (deforestation for cattle ranching) coupled with environmental factors (increased precipitation) may have synergistically coalesced for an increased risk of HPS to area residents.
  • The study was published in Journal of Vector Ecology in 2004.
  • The investigation was conducted by L.A. Ruedas and colleagues from Portland State University, Department of Biology.
  • The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Epidemiology, Pulmonary Medicine, Hantavirus, Vectors and Zoonoses, and Virology.

Statistics:

  • 22% case fatality rate for the HPS outbreak in southwestern Panama.
  • 164 animals were captured in the outbreak investigation.
  • 126 animals were identified as potential small, non-volant mammal hosts of a hantavirus.
  • The investigation found significant differences in small mammal community structure between case sites and a negative control site.
  • 29% of the captured animals were identified as carrying a hantavirus.

Sources:

  • Ruedas, L.A., et al. (2004). Community ecology of small mammal populations in Panama following an outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Journal of Vector Ecology, 29(1), 177-191.
  • NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net. (2004, September 20). Human and environmental factors caused a hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak.
  • Health & Medicine Week. (2004, September 20). Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak linked to human and environmental factors.