HUMAN AND RODENT HANTAVIRUS INFECTION IN NEW-YORK-STATE - PUBLIC-HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE OF AN EMERGING INFECTIOUS-DISEASE

Background: A case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with possible expo sure in New York and/or Rhode Island was confirmed in February 1994. O bjective: To conduct four studies to determine the historical and geog raphic distribution of human and small-mammal infection with hantaviru ses in New York State. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays wer e performed on serum samples obtained from 130 humans during a 1978 ba besiosis survey, 907 small mammals collected in New York State since 1 984, 12 rodents collected in 1994 near the residences of the patients with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and 76 New York patients with acut e respiratory distress syndrome-like illness (as suspected cases of ha ntavirus pulmonary syndrome). Results: None of the human serum samples from the 1978 serosurvey showed evidence of hantavirus exposure by en zyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statewide historical serum samples fr om white-footed mice showed evidence of Sin Nombre virus infection in 12.0% (97/809) and Seoul-like virus infection in 9.6% (78/809). Site-s pecific seropositivity rates were as high as 48.5% with Sin Nombre vir us during 1 year (1984). Two of 12 mice captured near the residences o f a human patient were positive for Sin Nombre virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, yet were negative for viral RNA by polymerase cha in reaction. None of the patients with suspected hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was serologically reactive for Sin Nombre virus. Conclusions: We provide serologic evidence of small-mammal infection with hantavir uses in New York State as long ago as 1984. Human cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are rare in New York, and data indicate that transm ission to humans is probably infrequent. A unique set of host, agent, and environmental factors may be necessary to cause hantavirus pulmona ry syndrome in humans.