DOMESTIC CASES OF HEMORRHAGIC-FEVER WITH RENAL SYNDROME IN THE UNITED-STATES

Although serologic studies have identified hantaviral infection in the United States, acute disease has not been recognized. This study describes 3 cases of domestically acquired hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the United States. Infection was due to a local strain of Seoul virus (Baltimore rat virus). A review of the clinical features indicated a mild illness characterized by nausea, vomiting, renal and liver failure similar to HFRS described elsewhere for rat-borne viruses. Follow-up of 2 patients identified persitent hypertension and renal disease providing further evidence of an association between past hantaviral infection and hypertensive renal disease.