HANTAVIRUS: A DANGER TO HUMANS
Jessica Koudys
SNC 4M1
Mr. Cairns
September 23, 2014
Hanta 2
Running Head: HANTAVIRUS: CAUSE AND EFFECT
In the spring of 1993, a dangerous wave of pulmonary infections spread through the
South Western United States, including Arizona. New Mexico, Colorado and Utah (“Rodents in”, 2012). Many were first affected with shortness of breath, which eventually resulted in death within a few days (“Rodents in”, 2012). Researchers investigated and concluded that this unknown disease was Hanta Pulmonary Syndrome, a cause of the Hantavirus. The Hantavirus is carried through many rodents including the Cotton Rat, Rice Rat, White-footed Mouse, and particularly the Deer Mouse (“Rodents in”, 2012). A human is most likely to acquire this disease if they breathe in air infected with the Hantavirus that is shed in rodent urine, saliva and droppings (“Hantavirus Pulmonary”, 2014).
Since the first outburst in 1993, there have been over 600 reported cases of Hanta
Pulmonary Disease in the USA (“Hantavirus Pulmonary”, 2014). This disease has also been reported in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Canada, along with several other countries
(“Hantavirus Pulmonary”, 2014). In Canada, the earliest known case of the disease was in
Alberta in 1989. Since then, there have been over 70 incidences involving the virus in Canada
(“Hantaviruses”, 2009).
A person who acquires the virus is most likely to show signs within 3 to 60 days
(“Hantaviruses”, 2009). Some symptoms include a fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, coughing and stomach problems (“Hantaviruses”,
