What it is:
Hantavirus disease is a zoonotic viral infection that can cause severe illness in humans, including respiratory or kidney complications. Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The incubation period is typically 1 to 8 weeks.
Cause:
Hantavirus disease is caused by hantaviruses carried by infected rodents. Humans become infected through contact with contaminated rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, particularly when virus particles are inhaled in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare.
Prevention:
Prevention focuses on minimizing exposure to rodents and contaminated environments by maintaining good sanitation, sealing buildings to prevent rodent entry, safely cleaning rodent-infested areas using wet cleaning and disinfection methods, avoiding sweeping or vacuuming contaminated dust, ensuring proper ventilation before cleaning enclosed spaces, and using appropriate personal protective equipment when handling potentially contaminated materials. There is no specific antiviral treatment, and management relies primarily on supportive care and early clinical recognition.
Resources:
UN Medical Directors' Hantavirus Risk Mitigation Plan (English)
UN Medical Directors' Hantavirus Risk Mitigation Plan (French)
Animal Vermin Pest Control Advisory and Guidance
WHO Hantavirus Outbreak Toolbox
PAHO Clinical management of hantavirus infection