Reported Cases of HPS
HPS in the United States
Through December 31, 2011, a total of 587 cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have been reported in the United States. Of these, 556 cases occurred from 1993-onward, following the initial identification of HPS, whereas 31 cases were retrospectively identified. Thirty-six percent of all reported cases have resulted in death.
HPS in the U.S. Case Maps/Charts
Of persons ill with HPS, 63% have been male, 37% female.
The mean age of confirmed case patients is 37 years (range: 6 to 83 years).
HPS can strike anyone; however, Whites currently account for 78% of all cases. American Indians account for about 18% of cases, African Americans for 2% of cases, and Asians for 1% of cases. About 20% of HPS cases have been reported among Hispanics (ethnicity considered separately from race).
Cases have been reported in 34 states, (see map). Over half of the confirmed cases have been reported from areas outside the Four Corners area.
About three-quarters of patients with HPS have been residents of rural areas.
HPS outside of the United States
Outside of North America, numerous individual cases and small clusters of HPS cases have been reported in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Panama and Uruguay and Venezuela. Large outbreaks have been rare and have usually been associated with human disturbance and land-use changes or with unusual environmental events such as increased rainfall or periodic bamboo flowering.
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