Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Hantaviruses that cause HPS are carried by rodents, especially the deer mouse.

Persons can become infected by exposure to mouse droppings, and the first signs of sickness (especially fever and muscle aches) appear 1 to 5 weeks later, followed by shortness of breath and coughing.

Once this phase begins, the disease progresses rapidly, necessitating hospitalization and immediate intensive care.

There have only been 19 cases in Oregon (pdf) between 1993 to date.

Disease Reporting

What is required?

Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of hantavirus to local health departments within one week of identification.

Disease reporting form (pdf) for health-care practitioners.

See our disease reporting page for information on how to report and for telephone numbers of local health departments.

For county health departments:

Hantavirus Screening Form (pdf)
For reportable diseases lacking Oregon-specific investigative guidelines or case report forms, please contact the epidemiologist on call for assistance.