Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome--United States, 1995 and 1996

Sporadic cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe cardiopulmonary illness first identified in 1993, continue to be recognized in the United States (1,2). This report describes the investigation of two cases of Sin Nombre virus (SNV)-associated HPS involving feedlot workers in a single household during May-June 1995, and summarizes national reporting for HPS through March 21, 1996. The findings of this investigation and of other investigations suggest that, although domestic and occupational exposures to rodents have rarely resulted in infection, sporadic clusters of HPS probably will continue to occur even though individual cases will predominate.