Hantavirus, a genus of RNA viruses in the Bunyaviridae family. Hantavirus is the cause of several different forms of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Some people appear to be more susceptible than others who are presumed to have had similar exposure to the virus. About half of all reported cases have been fatal. A Hantavirus infection begins with flulike symptoms and may be mistaken for other diseases. Some patients were diagnosed originally as having hepatitis or inflammation of the pancreas, or both. The disease can be spread by several common rodent species via rodent excreta. Most U.S. cases have been reported in the western United States, but confirmed hantavirus cases have also been found in the New York City suburbs. Hantavirus includes the Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala, Prospect Hill, Sin Nombre, and Porogia strains. See also hemorrhagic fever.
