Sin nombre virus in deer mice captured inside homes, southwestern Montana

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Mammalogy

Background:

• Sin Nombre virus (SNV) is a hantavirus primarily carried by the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus).
• Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), caused by SNV, can be a severe respiratory illness in humans.
• Urban and suburban environments can serve as interfaces for wildlife-human disease transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of Sin Nombre virus in deer mouse populations within urban and suburban residential areas.
• To identify potential risk factors and seasonality associated with SNV infection in Peromyscus maniculatus.

Main Methods:

• Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were live-trapped over a three-year period (1996-1999) in 25 residential locations in southwestern Montana.
• Captured mice were tested for serological evidence of Sin Nombre virus infection.
• Capture data, including sex, age class, and season, were analyzed in relation to infection status.

Main Results:

• A total of 35 deer mice were captured.
• Seven mice (20%) from seven homes (28%) tested seropositive for Sin Nombre virus.
• Infected mice were predominantly adult males captured during the spring and fall seasons.

Conclusions:

• Deer mice inhabiting urban and suburban settings in Montana can harbor Sin Nombre virus.
• The findings suggest a seasonal pattern for SNV infection in this rodent population, with higher detection rates in spring and fall.
• Further research is warranted to understand the specific ecological factors driving SNV transmission in residential areas and associated human health risks.