Kenneth Nugent MD, James L. Alexander DVM, MPVM
Background: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome continues to occur sporadically in Texas. Rivers and coworkers published a summary of cases identified between 1993 and 2006. This report updates the information on Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases identified between 2007 and 2016 to determine whether or not there are differences in clinical presentation or outcomes.
Methods: The Texas Department of State Health Services collects information on the Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Special Pathogens Branch case report form (OMB No.0920-0090). This form collects demographic information, patient exposure information, timeline, clinical information, laboratory tests, and outcomes.
Results: This report summarizes information from the Texas Department of State Health Services on 45 cases with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome reported between 1993 and 2016. Most patients were men and were non-Hispanic white or Hispanics. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis, an increased percentage of neutrophil bands, hemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia, and variable acute kidney injury. The case fatality rate was 31%. Since 2007, the case fatality rate has decreased. The cases remain clustered in the Northwest Texas (Public Health Region 1).
Summary: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome continues to occur sporadically in Texas. The clinical presentation has not changed since 1993, but outcomes appear to be improving. Public health efforts need to focus on public education to reduce the risk of exposure.
Keywords: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Texas, laboratory tests, outcomes
Article citation: Alexander JL, Nugent K. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Texas: an update covering years 1993 through 2016. Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2018;6(22):16–20.
From: The Texas Department of State Health Services in Canyon, TX (JLA); Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX (KN)
Submitted: 12/10/2017
Accepted: 12/24/2017
Reviewers: Ronald Warner DVM, PhD
Conflicts of interest: none