Question 1

What is hantavirus?

Accepted Answer

Hantaviruses are a family of rodent-borne viruses that cause two serious human diseases: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS/HCPS) in the Americas, primarily caused by Sin Nombre virus and Andes virus, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia, caused by Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala and Dobrava viruses.

Question 2

How is hantavirus transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Most hantaviruses spread to humans through inhalation of aerosolized rodent urine, droppings or saliva, or by direct contact with infected rodents. Andes virus (ANDV) is the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission, mainly during the prodromal and cardiopulmonary phases.

Question 3

What are the symptoms of hantavirus infection?

Accepted Answer

Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, severe muscle aches, headache, dizziness, chills and abdominal symptoms. HPS progresses to coughing, shortness of breath and pulmonary edema. HFRS causes acute kidney injury, low blood pressure and hemorrhage. Both diseases can be fatal — case fatality reaches 35–40% for HPS.

Question 4

Is there a vaccine or treatment for hantavirus?

Accepted Answer

There is no specific antiviral therapy or widely-licensed vaccine for hantavirus infection. Treatment is supportive: oxygen, mechanical ventilation, ECMO for severe HPS, and dialysis for HFRS. Early intensive-care admission improves survival significantly.

Question 5

How can I prevent hantavirus infection?

Accepted Answer

Reduce rodent contact: seal entry points to homes and cabins, store food in rodent-proof containers, ventilate enclosed spaces before cleaning, wet-clean droppings (never sweep or vacuum dry), wear N95 respirators and gloves when cleaning rodent-contaminated areas, and avoid handling live or dead rodents directly.