Hantavirus Transmission in the United States
Author Information
Author(s): Rachel M. Wells, Joni Young, R. Joel Williams, Lori R. Armstrong, Kristi Busico, Ali S. Khan, Thomas G. Ksiazek, Pierre E. Rollin, Sherif R. Zaki, Stuart T. Nichol, C.J. Peters
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Is there evidence of person-to-person transmission of hantavirus in the United States?
Conclusion
The review suggests that Sin Nombre virus infection is rarely, if ever, transmitted from person to person in the United States.
Supporting Evidence
- Five clusters of hantaviral infections were identified in the U.S. HPS case registry.
- Most household or social contacts of HPS patients showed no serologic evidence of hantaviral infection.
- Nosocomial transmission of HPS has never been documented in the United States.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether hantavirus can spread from one person to another, and it found that it usually doesn't.
Methodology
The study reviewed a U.S. HPS registry and identified clusters of hantaviral infections.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the reporting and testing of contacts of HPS patients.
Limitations
The study may not account for all potential cases of mild hantavirus infections that go unrecognized.
Participant Demographics
The study involved patients with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and their household or social contacts.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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