Overview
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), also called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), is a serious and often life-threatening infectious disease caused by certain types of hantaviruses. These viruses are carried by wild rodents, especially deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats, and white-footed mice in the Americas. People become infected by breathing in tiny particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or less commonly through a rodent bite. HPS is not a genetic disease — it is an infection that can affect anyone who comes into contact with infected rodents or their droppings. The disease typically starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes headaches, dizziness, chills, and stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. After a few days, the illness rapidly progresses to a dangerous phase where the lungs fill with fluid, making it extremely hard to breathe. The heart can also be affected, leading to dangerously low blood pressure and shock. This cardiopulmonary phase can develop very quickly and can be fatal. There is no specific antiviral drug or vaccine approved for HPS. Treatment is supportive and focuses on intensive care, including mechanical ventilation to help with breathing and medications to support blood pressure. In severe cases, a treatment called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which acts like an artificial lung, may be used. Early recognition and prompt intensive care significantly improve the chances of survival. The overall fatality rate is approximately 36-40%, making early medical attention critical.
Key symptoms:
High feverSevere muscle aches, especially in the thighs, hips, and backExtreme fatigue and tirednessHeadacheDizzinessChillsNausea and vomitingDiarrheaAbdominal painSevere shortness of breathCoughRapid heartbeatLow blood pressureFluid buildup in the lungs
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Hantavirus Registry - HantaReg
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is my case, and what is my expected recovery timeline?,Will I need mechanical ventilation or ECMO, and is that available at this hospital?,Are there any experimental treatments or clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What long-term effects on my lungs or heart should I watch for after recovery?,Is my family at risk of catching this from me, or from the same rodent exposure?,What steps should I take to prevent future exposure to hantavirus?,When can I expect to return to normal activities, work, or school?
Common questions about Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
What is Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), also called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), is a serious and often life-threatening infectious disease caused by certain types of hantaviruses. These viruses are carried by wild rodents, especially deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats, and white-footed mice in the Americas. People become infected by breathing in tiny particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or less commonly through a rodent bite. HPS is not a genetic disease — it is an infection that can affect anyone who comes into contact with infected rodents or their droppings. The d
How is Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome inherited?
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
25 specialists and care centers treating Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.