Almost 500 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) have been reported in the United States. The case count started when the disease was first recognized in May 1993. Thirty-five percent of all reported cases have resulted in death. A number of deaths have been from exposures during work. HPS can strike anyone. Cases have been reported in 30 states, including most of the western half of the country and some eastern states as well. About three-quarters of patients with HPS have been residents of rural areas. The average age of confirmed case patients is 38 years (range: 10 to 83 years). CDC website for more and up to date information on hantavirus at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ha… . For a good guide to workplace issues, link to the 2006 hantavirus risk control program for employers and workers from Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia at http://www.worksafebc.com/publication… .
