Western Paraguay, Gran Chaco
Laguna Negra hantavirus HPS · Paraguayan Chaco · preliminary historical
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Summary
Cluster of 17 hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases in indigenous communities of the Paraguayan Chaco between July 1995 and January 1996, then the largest HPS outbreak documented since 1993. Investigation by Williams et al. (CDC and Paraguayan health authorities) implicated a newly characterized hantavirus, Laguna Negra virus, with the small vesper mouse (Calomys laucha) as the rodent reservoir. Heightened May 1995 rainfall (~10× the historical mean) preceded elevated rodent populations and the outbreak. The deaths value here is set to 0 because the primary Williams 1997 paper does not separately tabulate deaths for the 17-case series; regional CFR estimates from this period are 30–50%.
Why this matters
Discovery and naming of Laguna Negra virus and recognition of HPS in the Gran Chaco. Established the Calomys laucha–LNV cycle as a New World hantavirus system distinct from the Patagonian Andes virus / Oligoryzomys cycle.
Sources
- T2 An outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in western Paraguay (Williams et al., 1997) American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2026-05-07
- T2 Laguna Negra virus associated with HPS in western Paraguay and Bolivia (Johnson et al., 1997) Virology · 2026-05-07