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Definition

Hantavirus is a disease spread by rodents that is similar to the flu.

Alternative Names

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome; Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hantavirus has probably caused people to get sick for years in the United States, but it was not recognized until recently.

In 1993 there was an outbreak of fatal respiratory illness on an Indian reservation at the border of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Researchers discovered that hantavirus caused the epidemic. Since that discovery, hantavirus disease has been reported in every western state, and in many eastern states.

Hantavirus is carried by rodents, especially deer mice. The virus is in their urine and feces, but it does not make the carrier animal sick. Humans are thought to become infected when they are exposed to contaminated dust from mice nests or droppings.

The disease is not passed between humans. People may encounter contaminated dust when cleaning long-empty homes, sheds, or other enclosed areas.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that rodents carrying hantavirus have been found in at least twenty national parks. The CDC says it is possible that the virus is in all of the parks.

The CDC suspects that campers and hikers may be more likely to catch the disease than most people. This is because they pitch tents on the forest floor and lay their sleeping bags down in musty cabins.

So far, however, only a couple of cases have been directly linked to camping or hiking. Most people who are exposed to the virus have come in contact with rodent droppings in their own homes.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of hantavirus disease are flu-like (fever, chills, muscle aches). For a very short period of time, the infected person starts to feel better. Then, within 1 - 2 days, the person may develop shortness of breath. The disease gets worse quickly and leads to respiratory failure.

Other symptoms may include:

Signs and tests

A doctor may notice signs of:

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
  • Decreased blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Decreased levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia), causing the skin to have a bluish color (cyanosis)
  • Kidney failure

Tests include:

Treatment

An effective treatment for hantavirus infection involving the lungs is not yet available.

Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever that involves the kidneys (with renal syndrome) does respond to treatment with ribavirin given through a vein (intravenously). This medication shortens the illness and reduces the risk of death.

Treatment must be given in the hospital. Often patients are admitted to an intensive care unit.

Oxygen therapy is used. Blood gases are closely monitored. Severe cases will need respiratory support with a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) and ventilator.

Expectations (prognosis)

Hantavirus is a serious infection. Even with aggressive treatment, more than half of the cases are fatal.

Complications
  • Cardiorespiratory failure
  • Death
  • Kidney failure
Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms after being exposed to mouse urine or feces (excreta), or dust that may have been contaminated with mouse excreta.

Prevention

Avoid exposure to rodent urine and feces.

  • When hiking and camping, pitch tents in areas where there are no rodent droppings.
  • Avoid rodent dens.
  • Drink disinfected water.
  • Sleep on a ground cover and pad.
  • Keep your home clean. Clear out potential nesting sites and clean your kitchen.

If you must work in an area where contact with rodent urine and feces is possible, follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  1. When opening an unused cabin, shed, or other building, open all the doors and windows, leave the building, and allow the space to air out for 30 minutes.
  2. Return to the building and spray the surfaces, carpet, and other areas with a disinfectant. Leave the building for another 30 minutes.
  3. Spray mouse nests and droppings with a 10% solution of chlorine bleach or similar disinfectant. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Using rubber gloves, place the materials in plastic bags. Seal the bags and throw them in the trash or an incinerator. Dispose of gloves and cleaning materials in the same way.
  4. Wash all potentially contaminated hard surfaces with a bleach or disinfectant solution. Avoid vacuuming until the area has been thoroughly decontaminated. Then, vacuum the first few times with enough ventilation. Surgical masks may provide some protection.
References

Bell M. Viral hemorrhagic fevers. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 404.

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Related Questions

How many people have died of the hantavirus?

Since the hantavirus was first identified in 1993, there have been a few hundred reported cases in the United States. The mortality rate for hantavirus infection is around 36%.


How is hantavirus infection caused?

Hantavirus infection is caused by a group of viruses that can infect humans with two serious illnesses: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).


Can the hantavirus reoccur to the same person?

Once a person has recovered from hantavirus infection, they are believed to be immune to that specific strain of the virus. However, it is possible for a person to be infected with a different strain of hantavirus in the future. Regular preventive measures should be taken to avoid exposure to the virus.


What year did the hantavirus spread?

The hantavirus was first recognized in 1993 when an outbreak occurred in the Four Corners region of the United States. Cases of hantavirus have been reported in various years since then, with sporadic outbreaks occurring in different regions of the world.


How can the Hantavirus be transmitted to humans?

The Hantavirus is an infection that effects humans in result to contact with infected rodents. Humans can only get infected with the Hantavirus from rodents because Hantavirus does not effect any other animals.


How many individuals are diagnosed with hantavirus?

unknown


What viruses has the ability to cause a pandemic?

Hantavirus


What has the author Stephanie Leuenroth written?

Stephanie Leuenroth has written: 'Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome' -- subject(s): Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Hantaviruses, Juvenile literature


What is the scientific name for andeo virus?

The scientific name for Andes virus is Andes orthohantavirus. It is a type of hantavirus that can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in humans.


How long does hantavirus live out of host?

The hantavirus can survive for long periods outside of a host. The survival rate ranges from 12 to 96 days and time is dependent on temperature.


When was the hantavirus symptoms discovered?

Hantavirus symptoms were first identified in the early 1990s during an outbreak of a hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Four Corners region of the United States, specifically in 1993. The virus itself, however, was first isolated in the 1970s in the Americas from a patient in Argentina. The recognition of the symptoms associated with hantavirus infection, such as severe respiratory distress and flu-like symptoms, became more pronounced during the 1993 outbreak.


Can a house mouse carry the hantavirus?

No. Only wild mice can.