Chilean Officials Issue Alert Following Uptick in Hantavirus Cases in Earthquake-Affected Region

Report Type:  Surveillance Report

Location: Araucanía, Aysén, Bio Bio, Los Lagos , Los Ríos, Maule, O’Higgins, Valparaíso

Disease Entity:  Hantavirus

Chilean Health Ministry officials reported concern this week over the risk of hantavirus infections among earthquake survivors in the southern region of the country where an increase in hantavirus transmission has been recorded.  In 2010, cases have been identified in Araucanía (2), Aysén (1), Bio Bio (10), Los Lagos (1) , Los Ríos (4), Maule (3), O’Higgins (2), Valparaíso (1).  The Health Ministry issued an alert to make at risk individuals aware of hantavirus symptoms and precautionary measures against infection.