HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME AND FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY - GUIDELINES FOR RISK REDUCTION

In 1993, a previously unrecognized hantavirus was identified as the ca usative agent of a severe respiratory disease, subsequently named hant avirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Rodents shed hantaviruses in their sa liva, urine, and feces, and humans can become infected after inhaling either aerosolized droplets of urine or particulates contaminated with rodent excreta. Because archaeological excavations frequently disturb rodents and their nests, field crews may be at increased risk for HPS . Activities that could expose archaeologists and other field speciali sts to the newly recognized hantavirus are discussed and guidelines fo r reducing the risk of exposure are presented.