This information might be of special interest to the members of the Canchid
list.  The Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World
Health Organization, has published a new book on Hantavirus. 

Hantavirus in the Americas. Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention,
and Control

In 1993, the outbreak of a mysterious, deadly respiratory illness in the
southwestern United States made national headlines. When a hantavirus was
found to be the culprit, other governments in the Region began to focus
greater attention on the presence and    effects of hantavirus in their
countries. This publication presents an extensive view of      what came to
be known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), its clinical
manifestations, methods of  preventing infection, and measures taken by
governments in the Region to monitor hanta-viruses and educate health
professionals and the general public about the disease. 

This comprehensive manual begins by describing the different hanta-viruses
known in the Americas and their reservoirs, rodent ecology and zoology, and
the epidemiology of human disease in the Region. Upon this foundation, the
manual describes the disease's clinical manifestation and diagnosis and
presents guidelines for HPS surveillance, treatment, and case management. It
also provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for
preventing infection in the home, hospital, and laboratory, as well for
cleaning rodent-infested areas. The importance of educating health
professionals and the general public about the disease is stressed through
examples of communication strategies used in different countries of the
Region. The publication also provides an overview of communication tools
that can be adapted to educate diverse populations about HPS and other
communicable diseases.

An essential tool for anyone involved in hantavirus prevention, control,
treatment, or health education activities,  "Hantavirus in the Americas"
contains useful, stand-alone annexes, such as sample case report forms,
guidelines for safe handling and transfer of specimens, educational
resources, and descriptions of prevention campaigns undertaken by countries
in the Region. The book's handy format allows for quick reproduction and
distribution of the annexes and infection prevention and control measures.
 
1999, 65 pp., ISBN: 92 75 13047 7 
US $14.00 
Order code: TP 47 
Spanish version available: Order Code CT 47 

To obtain  a copy contact our local sales agent or the PAHO/WHO office in
your country or PAHO Washington DC, Fax: (301) 206-9789, E-mail:
[log in to unmask], Internet: http://publications.paho.org where you can pay with
credit card.  Sales agents in Canada: Canadian Public Health Association
(CPHA) Tel: (1-613) 725-3769; Fax: (1-613) 725-9826; E-mail: [log in to unmask]
and Renouf Publishing Co. Ltd. Tel: (1-613) 745-2665; Fax: (1-613) 745-7660;
E-mail: [log in to unmask]; http://www.renoufbooks.com .  For
additional information, you can contact me at [log in to unmask] 

Mylena Pinzón
PAHO-Washington DC