What is Hantavirus? Symptoms, Causes and Prevention Tips

The recent outbreak of Hantavirus on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic has sparked fear worldwide. While rare, some hantavirus infections can have a fatality rate of 20% to 40%. It spreads from rodents and causes life-threatening illnesses, including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

This article aims to understand what Hantavirus is, its symptoms, causes and prevention tips.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a group of zoonotic viruses that spread from rodents to humans, causing severe illness and even death. There are more than 20 hantavirus strains, which are often transmitted to humans through contact with rat or mouse droppings or their bites.

The hantavirus strains found, including Andes virus and Sin Nombre virus in North, Central and South America, are known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) which affects the lungs and leads to breathing difficulty. While hantavirus infection is primarily transmitted from rodents to humans, the Andes virus strain can also be transmitted from human to human and cause small, localised outbreaks.

The hantavirus strains found in Asia and Europe are the most commonly spread hantavirus infection. They are known to cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), a condition that causes severe bleeding and kidney damage.

What are Hantavirus Causes?

Hantavirus infection spreads to humans through contact with the droppings, urine and saliva of rodents such as mice and rats. In rare cases, it spreads through a rodent bite or scratch.

What are Hantavirus Symptoms?

Hantavirus symptoms in humans begin within 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to the virus. It typically causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which present the following symptoms.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Early symptoms:

1. Fever
2. Fatigue
3. Muscle aches, especially in large muscle groups like the thighs, hips, back and shoulder
4. Headaches
5. Abdominal issues, including pain, nausea and diarrhoea

Later-stage symptoms of HPS start 4 to 10 days after the initial phase. They include:

1. Coughing
2. Shortness of breath
3. Rapid heartbeat
4. Chest tightness

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)

Early symptoms:

1. Fever
2. Nausea
3. Blurred vision
4. Back and abdominal pain
5. Inflammation or redness of the eyes
6. Rash

Later-stage symptom:

1. Low blood pressure
2. Lack of blood flow (acute shock)
3. Vascular leakage (internal bleeding)
4. Acute kidney failure, causing severe fluid overload

How is Hantavirus Diagnosed?

Initial hantavirus symptoms are similar to influenza. Diagnosing hantavirus infection with a test can be especially difficult in the initial stages. However, a doctor may diagnose hantavirus based on the patient’s history of contact with rodents or their droppings and a test for viral infections after this time period.

How to Prevent Hantavirus?

Although hantavirus outbreaks are rare, the disease still has a high fatality rate. It can be prevented by adopting measures that eliminate or minimise contact with rodents. These include:

1. Seal holes and gaps in homes and workspaces to keep rodents from entering
2. Keep home and workspaces clean
3. Store food securely
4. Avoid dry sweeping rodent droppings. Dampen the area with a disinfectant or bleach solution, then clean it with disposable paper towels
5. Strengthen hand hygiene practices. Wash them, especially after cleaning rodent droppings

There is no specific hantavirus treatment or vaccine for the disease. A person diagnosed with hantavirus infection should receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment for their symptoms.

As hantavirus is a fatal illness, people should take proper preventive measures to avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. On experiencing symptoms, it is critical to consult a doctor and schedule a test for viral infection with Dr Lal PathLabs.

Download the Dr Lal PathLabs app to schedule a test effortlessly.

FAQs

1. What are the symptoms of hantavirus?
   The initial hantavirus symptoms are similar to those of the flu, including fever, muscle pain, and headache. Later-stage symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, acute shock, or kidney failure.
2. Can hantavirus spread between people?
   The hantavirus strain known as Andes virus can spread between people, but this transmission is rare and requires prolonged exposure to the infected person.