what to know about Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a rare but serious viral infection spread mainly through contact with infected rodents, especially their urine, droppings, or saliva. People can become infected by breathing in contaminated particles, touching contaminated surfaces, or, in rare cases, through rodent bites.
The virus is found in different parts of the world and can cause severe illness affecting the lungs or kidneys. In the Americas, hantavirus is commonly linked to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a dangerous respiratory disease. In parts of Europe and Asia, it is more often associated with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which affects the kidneys.
Early symptoms usually resemble the flu and may include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, chills, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. As the illness progresses, some patients develop coughing and severe breathing difficulties due to fluid buildup in the lungs. In serious cases, the infection can become life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Health experts say rodents such as deer mice, cotton rats, and rice rats are among the common carriers of the virus. Poor sanitation, rodent infestations, and exposure to enclosed spaces with rodent waste increase the risk of infection.
There is currently no specific cure or vaccine widely available for hantavirus, but early medical attention greatly improves survival chances. Treatment usually focuses on supportive care, including oxygen therapy and close monitoring in hospitals.
Prevention remains the best protection against the disease. Experts advise people to avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, seal holes in homes, store food properly, and clean rodent-infested areas carefully. Sweeping dry droppings is discouraged because it can release virus particles into the air. Instead, contaminated areas should be disinfected before cleaning.
Although hantavirus infections are uncommon, public health officials stress the importance of awareness because the disease can become severe very quickly.
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