Description of the situation
02 March 2000
Disease Outbreak Reported
Twelve suspect cases including 3 deaths from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have been reported from Las Tablas and Guarare districts, Los Santos Province. The diagnosis has been confirmed by serological tests (positive IgM and IgG) on samples from three surviving patients. Testing was performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States.
Preventive measures are being taken to educate and inform the public to avoid contact with rodents and their excreta. A seroprevalence study in humans and rodent capture for virus detection and identification of reservoir species are underway. Clinicians in the area have been trained in case management.