From the Guidelines
To prevent Hantavirus infection, rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy, and individuals should inspect their homes at least twice per year for any openings where rodents could enter and for conditions that could support rodent activity. Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly virus transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, particularly their urine, droppings, or saliva. The primary concern is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which begins with flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue) and can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress. Prevention is the best approach, as there is no specific treatment or vaccine available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, if any evidence of rodent infestation is detected inside the home or in outbuildings, precautions should be taken, including following special guidelines for homes of persons with confirmed Hantavirus infection or buildings with heavy rodent infestations. Some key prevention measures include:
- Sealing entry points in homes
- Cleaning rodent-infested areas using wet methods (spray with bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water)
- Avoiding sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings
- Using gloves when cleaning
- Properly ventilating enclosed spaces before entering If you suspect exposure and develop symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, as Hantavirus has a mortality rate of approximately 38%, making prevention crucial for those living or working in areas with rodent populations 1.
From the Research
Hantavirus Overview
- Hantaviruses are enveloped single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses that belong to the family Bunyaviridae 2
- They are widely distributed and maintained in populations of specific insectivores or rodent host species (mice or rats) 2
- Transmission to humans occurs via direct contact with faeces, urine and saliva of infected rodents, in particular by inhaling virus contaminated aerosol 2
Clinical Syndromes
- Hantavirus infection in humans can result in two clinical syndromes: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) 3
- HFRS caused by Hantaan virus, Amur virus and Dobrava virus are more severe with mortality rates from 5 to 15%, whereas Seoul virus causes moderate and Puumala virus and Saaremaa virus cause mild forms of disease with mortality rates <1% 3
- HPS presents with acute respiratory failure, mild-moderate renal failure, thrombocytopenia, and reactive lymphocytosis 4
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis is presumptive, based on typical clinical findings and patient history of likely rodent exposure 4
- Confirmation of diagnosis is by serological testing and/or RT-PCR 4
- Treatment is mainly comprised of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal function support, with fluid and electrolyte homeostasis being crucial components of care 4
- A specific antiviral therapy with ribavirin has been shown to be successful for treatment of HFRS patients in the early stage of disease 2
- The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in decompensated patients with HPS has also shown to be beneficial 4
Prevention
- Public awareness and precautionary measures are the only ways to minimize the risk of hantavirus disease, as there is no effective treatment or vaccine approved for use in the USA and Europe 3
- Rodent control and public health education and promotion play a major role in preventing Hantavirus infection 5
- Multiple vaccine candidates with evidence of conferring long protective immunity against Hantaviruses are being developed 5