Published Date: 2012-05-25 18:04:54
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Hantavirus update 2012 - Americas (17): USA (NM)
Archive Number: 20120525.1145163

HANTAVIRUS UPDATE 2012 - AMERICAS (17): USA (NEW MEXICO)
*****************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Fri 25 May 2012
Source: New Mexico Department of Health, press release [edited]
http://nmhealth.org/ERD/HealthData/documents/FirstHantavirusCaseFatal5-25-2012.pdf


Fatal Hantavirus Case in Rio Arriba County Resident
-------------------------------------------
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) is announcing today that a 20-year-old woman from Rio Arriba County has died from complications due to laboratory-confirmed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). This is the 1st case in New Mexico this year [2012].

"We extend our sympathy to this woman's family and friends," said DOH Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Catherine Torres. "I am asking all New Mexicans to follow our prevention guidelines to keep themselves and their families safe, as HPS can be a serious and sometimes fatal disease."

People can become infected and develop disease from HPS when they breathe in aerosolized virus particles that have been transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings or saliva. The deer mouse is the main reservoir for the strain of hantavirus that occurs in New Mexico, Sin Nombre virus.

"People need to be very careful when they are involved in activities which may put them in contact with rodents or their droppings," said Dr. Paul Ettestad, the DOH's public health veterinarian. "It is important to remember that the best defense against hantavirus is to avoid disturbing areas of rodent infestation, including nests and droppings, and to air out cabins and sheds before entering them."

To protect yourself, avoid contact with mice and other rodents. Other important steps are:
- Air out closed-up buildings before entering
- Seal-up homes and cabins so mice can't enter
- Trap mice until they are all gone
- Clean up nests and droppings using a disinfectant
- Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home
- Get rid of trash and junk piles
- Don't leave your pet's food and water where mice can get to it.

Early symptoms of hantavirus infection include fever and muscle aches, possibly with chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cough which progresses to respiratory distress. These symptoms develop within one to 6 weeks after rodent exposure. Although there is no specific treatment for HPS, chances for recovery are better if medical attention is sought early.

In 2011, New Mexico had 5 cases of HPS. 3 of the 5 cases were fatal including a 51-year-old woman from McKinley County, a 35-year-old man from Torrance County, and a 23-year-old man from McKinley County. The 2 non-fatal cases in 2011 were in a 39-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman, both from McKinley County. Since it was 1st discovered in 1993, New Mexico has had a total of 91 lab-confirmed HPS cases with 37 fatalities, the highest number of cases for any state in the nation.

--
Communicated by:
Paul Ettestad DVM, MS
State Public Health Veterinarian
Epidemiology and Response Division
New Mexico Department of Health

[Paul Ettestad has confirmed that the case patient was positive for Sin Nombre hantavirus antibodies, specifically Hanta N IgM on strip immunoblot. An environmental investigation is being conducted to look for continuing risk to others. For more information about HPS, visit the Department's website:
http://nmhealth.org/ERD/HealthData/hantavirus.shtml.

A map of the counties of New Mexico, showing the location of Rio Arriba county, can be accessed at: http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/county-map/new-mexico.shtml. - Mod.CP]

See Also

2011
----
Hantavirus update 2011 - Americas (05): USA (NM) 20110124.0289
Hantavirus update 2011 - Americas (27) USA (NM) 20110527.1625
2009
----
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (10): USA (NM) 20090918.3281
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (08): USA (NM, AZ) 20090708.2452
Hantavirus update 2009 - Americas (06): USA (NM) 20090511.1753
2008
----
Hantavirus update 2008 - Americas (22): USA (NM), Chile ex Arg.: susp 20081206.3836
Hantavirus update 2008 - Americas (04): USA (NM) 20080308.0957
2007
----
Hantavirus update 2007 - Americas (14): USA (NM) 20071201.3871
Hantavirus update 2007 - Americas (07): USA (NM) 20070621.2007
Hantavirus update 2007 - Americas (06): USA (NM) 20070531.1756
2006
----
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - USA (NM) 20060316.0820
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - USA (AZ, NM) 20060211.0456
2004
----
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - USA (NM) 20040714.1901
2003
----
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - USA (NM) 20031205.2993
2000
----
Hantavirus pulm. synd. - USA (Calif. & New Mexico) (02) 20000919.1615
Hantavirus pulm. synd. - USA (California & New Mexico) 20000917.1594
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - USA (New Mexico) 20000529.0859
1999
----
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - USA (Wash., New Mex.) 19990416.0630
1998
----
Hantavirus infection, human - USA (New Mexico) 19980501.0853
1995
----
Hantavirus - New Mexico 19950713.0535
Hantavirus - Texas (new case) 19950628.0468
.................................................cp/ejp/mpp