Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome -- Chile, 1997

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) was first recognized in Chile in October 1995; through July 1997, nine cases had been identified in the country. However, during August 1-October 8, 1997, a total of 12 persons with HPS, including two family clusters, were recognized. A collaborative investigation is under way to determine the magnitude of this outbreak, the associated rodent reservoir for hantaviruses, and the major risk factors for human infection. This report summarizes the preliminary results of the ongoing investigation, which suggest that the outbreak among humans is paralleled by exceptionally high densities of potential rodent reservoir species.