What is Hantavirus? What are the symptoms?

What You Need to Know About the Silent Danger Transmitted by Rodents

Hantavirus, which has started to be talked about again in the world agenda recently, has become a matter of curiosity, especially due to fatal cases and epidemic news. So what exactly is Hantavirus? How is it transmitted? What are its symptoms and how dangerous is it?

In this article, we discuss scientific and current information about Hantavirus in detail in the light of data from international health organizations such as World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a group of zoonotic viruses that can be transmitted to humans mostly through rodents such as mice and rats. It can cause serious lung and kidney diseases in humans.

Although the virus first attracted attention during the Korean War in the 1950s, different strains have been known around the world for many years. Different types of hantavirus are seen especially in America, Europe and Asia.

The two most common serious conditions are:

• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS / HCPS)
  Severe respiratory failure affecting the lungs
• Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)
  A condition that poses a risk of kidney failure and internal bleeding

How is Hantavirus Transmitted?

The main source of transmission of Hantavirus is infected rodents. Especially contact with mouse urine, feces and saliva poses a risk.

The virus can be transmitted through:

• Cleaning environments containing rodent feces
• Inhalation of pollinated infected particles
• Contact with surfaces contaminated with mouse urine
• Rare rodent bites
• Inadequately ventilated closed spaces

Especially:

• Warehouses
• Stables
• Rural areas
• Houses that have been closed for a long time
• Camping areas

It is considered among the high-risk areas.

Can Hantavirus be Transmitted from Person to Person?

In general, Hantaviruses do not spread easily between people. However, limited cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported for the "Andes" type of hantavirus seen in South America.

Therefore, experts emphasize that Hantavirus does not have high contagiousness like COVID-19.

In the cruise ship cases that have come to the fore recently, the Andes strain is particularly emphasized.

What are the symptoms of Hantavirus?

Hantavirus symptoms can be confused with flu or viral infections in the first days. This makes early diagnosis difficult.

Early Period Symptoms

• High fever
• Weakness
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Cold and shivering
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea

Later Term Symptoms

As the disease progresses, the condition may become severe:

• Shortness of breath
• Fluid accumulation in the lungs
• Feeling of tightness in the chest
• Low oxygen
• Kidney failure
• Low blood pressure
• Internal bleeding
• Shock table

The need for intensive care may arise, especially in patients who develop lung involvement.

How many days does it take for Hantavirus to show symptoms?

Symptoms usually occur after exposure to the virus:

• From 1 to 8 weeks

may occur.

Due to this long incubation period, people may not notice the virus at first.

Is Hantavirus Fatal?

Yes, some strains of hantavirus can be quite deadly.

Especially:

• The mortality rate of lung-type hantaviruses in the American continent is reported to be between 20-50%.
• The mortality rate is lower in some species in Europe and Asia.

However, early diagnosis and intensive supportive treatment are vital.

Is There a Treatment for Hantavirus?

There is currently no definitive antiviral treatment or widely used approved vaccine for Hantavirus. Treatment is generally supportive.

Therapies applied:

• Oxygen support
• Intensive care follow-up
• Fluid balance control
• Respirator support
• Dialysis in renal failure

.

Experts state that early intervention seriously reduces the risk of death.

Ways to Protect from Hantavirus

The main purpose of protection is to reduce the risk of rodent contact.

Precautions That Can Be Taken

• Regularly cleaning areas where mice are seen
• Ventilating closed areas
• Moistening rodent droppings before vacuuming
• Using gloves and mask
• Storing food products closed
• Closing house and warehouse entrances
• Paying attention to hygiene in camping areas

Sweeping, especially dry, is not recommended as it may cause virus particles to get into the air.

Is There Hantavirus in Turkey?

There have been limited cases of hantavirus in Turkey in the past years. Some cases have been reported, especially in the Black Sea region. However, there is currently no report of a large-scale epidemic.

Although there is a lot of speculation circulating on social media and the internet, official statements should be followed.

Will Hantavirus Turn into a Pandemic?

According to experts, the probability of Hantavirus turning into a global pandemic similar to COVID-19 is low. Because:

• Human-to-human transmission is limited
• It is usually spread by rodent contact
• Its contagiousness is not as high as coronavirus

However, due to the high mortality rates, health authorities are monitoring the cases closely.

Result

Hantavirus is one of the rare but potentially serious viral diseases. The risk increases especially in people who have rodent contact. Since the first symptoms are flu-like, it may be difficult to notice in the early stages.

If symptoms such as high fever, muscle pain and shortness of breath develop after rodent contact, a healthcare provider should be consulted.

According to scientific data, although there is no situation that requires global panic at the moment, hygiene and protection measures are of great importance.