Outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Los Santos, Panama, 1999-2000

Vicente Bayard, Paul T. Kitsutani, Eduardo O. Barria, Luis A. Ruedas, David S. Tinnin, Carlos Muñoz, Itza B. De Mosca, Gladys Guerrero, Rudick Kant, Arsenio Garcia, Lorenzo Caceres, Fernando G. Gracia, Evelia Quiroz, Zoila De Castillo, Blas Armien, Mario Libel, James N. Mills, Ali S. Khan, Stuart T. Nichol, Pierre E. RollinThomas G. Ksiazek, Clarence J. Peters

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

An outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome occurred in the province of Los Santos, Panama, in late 1999 and early 2000. Eleven cases were identified; 9 were confirmed by serology. Three cases were fatal; however, no confirmed case-patient died. Case-neighborhood serologic surveys resulted in an overall hantavirus antibody prevalence of 13% among household and neighborhood members from the outbreak foci. Epidemiologic investigations did not suggest person-to-person transmission of hantavirus infection. By use of Sin Nombre virus antigen, hantavirus antibodies were detected in Oligoryzomys fulvescens and Zygodontomys brevicauda cherriei. This outbreak resulted in the first documented cases of human hantavirus infections in Central America.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1635-1642
Number of pages8
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume10
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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