Threat of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome to Field Biologists Working with Small Mammals

Marcella J. Kelly,Douglas A. Kelt,Dirk H. Van Vuren,Mark S. Hafner,Brent J. Danielson

doi:10.3201/eid1309.070445

Abstract

Low risk for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been reported among biologists engaged in fieldwork with rodents. The overall probability of acquiring HPS when working with rodents appears to be 1 in 1,412 (0.00071). Nonetheless, a causal link between HPS and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) use is suggested by some investigators. However, supporting data are incomplete and consequently misleading. A recent HPS case was assumed to be acquired during rodent-handling activities, although substantial peridomestic exposure was evident. Regulatory groups interpret inadequate data as evidence of the need for excessive and inappropriate PPE, which can hamper field research and instructional efforts. PPE recommendations should be reviewed and revised to match the risk associated with different types of fieldwork with small mammals.

Highlights

Low risk for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been reported among biologists engaged in fieldwork with rodents
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an uncommon disease associated primarily with exposure to deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), widespread rodents that serve as the reservoir host for Sin Nombre virus (SNV) [1]
Summation of results from these 4 studies indicated that only 4 (0.283%) of 1,412 persons in high-risk occupations had antibodies to SNV. Their data indicate that fieldwork with mammals has minimal risk for contracting HPS, Fulhorst et al [5] implied a causal link between infection in the 4 HPSpositive mammalogists and their failure to use personal protective equipment (PPE) while handling rodents in the field (“None of the 4 persons in the study who were antibody-positive against SNV had worn gloves, masks, or protective eyewear when handling rodents ...”)

Summary

Introduction

Low risk for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been reported among biologists engaged in fieldwork with rodents. Data for 757 of these donors were recently published in Emerging Infectious Diseases [5] and documented that only 4 (0.528%) of 757 active field mammalogists with “a history of exposure to rodents in North America and...of occupational exposure to deer mice ...” had positive test results for SNV exposure.

Results

Conclusion