Novel Focus of Sin Nombre Virus in Peromyscus eremicus Mice, Death Valley National Park, California, USA

Joseph E Burns; Marco E Metzger; Sharon Messenger; Curtis L Fritz; Inger-Marie E Vilcins; Barryett Enge; Lawrence R Bronson; Vicki L Kramer; Renjie Hu

doi:10.3201/eid2406.180089

Novel Focus of Sin Nombre Virus in Peromyscus eremicus Mice, Death Valley National Park, California, USA

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Jun;24(6):1112-1115. doi: 10.3201/eid2406.180089.

Authors

Joseph E Burns, Marco E Metzger, Sharon Messenger, Curtis L Fritz, Inger-Marie E Vilcins, Barryett Enge, Lawrence R Bronson, Vicki L Kramer, Renjie Hu

Abstract

The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the primary reservoir for Sin Nombre virus (SNV) in the western United States. Rodent surveillance for hantavirus in Death Valley National Park, California, USA, revealed cactus mice (P. eremicus) as a possible focal reservoir for SNV in this location. We identified SNV antibodies in 40% of cactus mice sampled.

Keywords: California; Cricetidae; Death Valley; Death Valley National Park; Peromyscus eremicus; Scotty’s Castle; Sin Nombre virus; cactus mouse; hantavirus; national park; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
California / epidemiology
Hantavirus Infections / veterinary*
Mice
Peromyscus / virology*
Phylogeny
Rodent Diseases / epidemiology*
Rodent Diseases / virology*
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Sin Nombre virus / classification*
Sin Nombre virus / genetics*