![\"Hantavirus\"](\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HantaVirus.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The recent outbreak of Hantavirus<\/strong> on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic has sparked fear worldwide. While rare, some hantavirus infections<\/strong> can have a fatality rate of 20% to 40%. It spreads from rodents and causes life-threatening illnesses, including hantavirus<\/strong> pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This article aims to understand what Hantavirus<\/strong> is, its symptoms, causes and prevention tips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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<\/strong> strains, which are often transmitted to humans through contact with rat or mouse droppings or their bites.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hantavirus<\/strong> strains found, including Andes virus and Sin Nombre virus in North, Central and South America, are known to cause hantavirus<\/strong> pulmonary syndrome (HPS) which affects the lungs<\/a> and leads to breathing difficulty. While hantavirus infection<\/strong> is primarily transmitted from rodents to humans, the Andes virus strain can also be transmitted from human to human and cause small, localised outbreaks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hantavirus<\/strong> strains found in Asia and Europe are the most commonly spread hantavirus infection<\/strong>. They are known to cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), a condition that causes severe bleeding and kidney damage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hantavirus infection<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hantavirus symptoms in humans<\/strong> begin within 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to the virus. It typically causes hantavirus<\/strong> pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which present the following symptoms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Early symptoms:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Later-stage<\/strong> symptoms of HPS start 4 to 10 days after the initial phase. They include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Early symptoms:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Later-stage<\/strong> symptom:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Initial hantavirus symptoms<\/strong> are similar to influenza. Diagnosing hantavirus infection<\/strong> 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<\/strong> after this time period.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although hantavirus<\/strong> 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:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is no specific hantavirus treatment<\/strong> or vaccine for the disease. A person diagnosed with hantavirus infection<\/strong> should receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment for their symptoms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As hantavirus<\/strong> 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<\/strong><\/a> with Dr Lal PathLabs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhat is Hantavirus?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are Hantavirus Causes?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are Hantavirus Symptoms?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
How is Hantavirus Diagnosed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to Prevent Hantavirus?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n