The first 3 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been reported from
Canada (ref. below). All are from rural southern British Columbia,
contiguous with the US border states of Idaho, Montana, N.Dakota and
Minnesota (all of which have reported confirmed HPS cases). They were a
woodcarver (M, 47yrs), a ranch hand (M,31) and a wildlife biologist trapping
rodents (F,31). Onsets were Feb., Mar. and June 1994. The ranch hand died.
*All had clinically compatible disease and IgM antibody to a Muerto
Canyon-like virus. PCR detected MCV in post-mortem lung tissue.
*It is not known if wild rodents are more abundant this year than in other
years in the region. Case 1 had mice in his house and drowned in his
drinking water sources. Case 2 had no known rodent contact. Case 3 last
handled wild mice (including deer mice) 16 days before onset. A rodent
serosurvey is being done.
*No family members of any case developed illness. Public service
announcements have been directed at high-risk groups.
*Ref:Stephen C, Johnson M & Bell A 1994 Canada Communicable Disease Report,
vol. 20-15:121-128, 15 Aug. First reported cases of hantavirus pulmonary
syndrome in Canada.
*****
Jack Woodall, NYS Health Dept. Arbovirus Lab., Albany NY, USA
e-mail: woodall at wadsworth.ph.albany.edu
