In Argentina the first Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) cases were chara
cterized in 1995. Since then, Argentina is the country with the highest num
ber of notified cases in South America. The disease is distributed in North
ern,Southern and Central regions of the country, being Buenos Aires the mos
t affected province from the Central region. In this study, we present seas
onal and geographical distribution of HPS cases in Buenos Aires province, t
he association with diverse viral lineages and the serological characterist
ics of hantavirus infection in the period from 1997 up to the first semeste
r of the year 2000. An increase in the number of HPS cases was observed up
to 1999 and a gradual mortality decrease in the whole period. The cases occ
urred between spring and autumn, with a maximum peak in summer. The serolog
ical response was studied in 58 HPS confirmed cases at different times afte
r the onset of symptoms. The cases were distributed between 27 localities,
in two different directions from the city of Buenos Aires: South-southwest
and North-northeast. More than 52% of the cases occurred in La Plata and ne
ighboring localities. The viral genomes from 39 cases were all characterise
d as Andes virus (AND): AND Cent Plata 16%; AND Cent 21% and AND Cent Bs.As
. 60%. Andes virus lineages only cocirculated in La Plata city. These resul
ts will contribute to establish a risk map leading to the implementation of
improved strategies of prevention.