Who is affected by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)

Through July 6, 2005, 396 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) had been reported in the United States.¹

• HPS mostly affects adults, but the age of people who develop HPS has ranged from 10 to 83 years old.
• HPS affects both genders, although males are at a slightly higher risk of developing the illness (63% male and 37% female).
• 77% of the people with HPS have been white, 19% have been American Indian, 2% have been African American, and 1% have been Asian.

Although the majority of HPS cases occur in the southwestern United States, cases have been reported in 31 states.² Most people who develop HPS either live in rural areas or have visited rural areas during the 4 weeks before symptoms of the illness appear.

Other countries also have had confirmed cases of HPS, including:³

• Canada, mainly in the western provinces.
• South American countries Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, and Bolivia.
• Panama.

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