What is Hantavirus?

The news cycle is abuzz about Hantavirus. But what is it? Is it contagious? What are the symptoms?

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal virus spread mainly by wild rodents (such as rats or mice) through their urine, saliva, or droppings.

Hantavirus can cause severe, rapidly progressing illness, such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), resulting in severe breathing issues.  The mortality rate can be as high as 38-40% (CDC).

How does it spread?

Hantavirus is spread mainly through breathing in the virus particles from dried rodent droppings or urine stirred up in dust.  It can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces that rodents have touched, and then touching the nose or mouth.

Hantavirus is common in enclosed, unventilated spaces like cabins, sheds, and barns (where mice like to build nests)!

While rare, the Andes virus strain can spread between people with close, prolonged contact.

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms are often mistaken for the flu: fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. About half of all patients will also experience headaches, dizziness, and chills.  These symptoms appear 1-8 weeks after exposure.

Late symptoms: (4-10 days later): coughing, shortness of breath, lungs fill with fluid (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome)

Treatment:

No specific anti-viral treatments or vaccines are available. Treatment is supportive. If the person develops respiratory symptoms, ICU-level care may improve outcomes.

Prevention:

Avoid sweeping or vacuuming dried rodent droppings. Use wet cleaning methods with bleach solutions; wear gloves, and seal up homes against rodents. 

For further information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention