hantavirus information and how does it spread

What is Hantavirus and how does it spread

hantavirus information:

The Centre for Disease Control says that the virus is spread mainly from rodents. It goes on to say that infection with any of the hantavirus can cause hantavirus disease in people.

Hantavirus Information:

Even when the world is trying to find a cure for the dreaded coronavirus pandemic, a report in Global Times said that a man from China's Yunnan province died from Hantavirus while on a bus to the Shandong province.

All the fellow passengers on the bus have been tested for the virus.

What is Hantavirus?

The Centre for Disease Control says that the virus is spread mainly from rodents. It goes on to say that infection with any of the hantavirus can cause hantavirus disease in people.

what is hantavirus symptoms:

"Hantaviruses in the Americas are known as “New World” hantaviruses and may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Other hantaviruses, known as “Old World” hantaviruses, are found mostly in Europe and Asia and may cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)," the CDC website said.

The hantavirus case comes at a time when the total count of those infected by novel coronavirus globally is nearing the 400,000 mark and scientists are yet to find a cure for it. The global death toll has crossed the 16,500 mark.

How does it get transmitted?

Cases of human hantavirus infection occur sporadically, usually in rural areas where forests, fields, and farms offer a suitable habitat for the virus’s rodent hosts. Areas around the home or work where rodents may co-habit such as houses, barns, outbuildings and sheds are potential sites for exposure.

The rodents shed the virus in their urine, droppings, and saliva and are mainly transmitted to people when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus.

How does it get transmitted?

What are the symptoms?

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Muscle aches – thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders
• Headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems.

What is the treatment?

• Early identification

Hantaviruses Description : 

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied disease syndromes in people worldwide.  Infection with any hantavirus can produce hantavirus disease in people. Hantaviruses in the Americas are known as “New World” hantaviruses and may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Other hantaviruses, known as “Old World” hantaviruses, are found mostly in Europe and Asia and may cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

Each hantavirus serotype has a specific rodent host species and is spread to people via aerosolized virus that is shed in urine, feces, and saliva, and less frequently by a bite from an infected host. The most important hantavirus in the United States that can cause HPS is the Sin Nombre virus, spread by the deer mouse.

Rodents in the United States that Carry Hantavirus:

The Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus), found in the southeastern US and down into Central and South America, has a bigger body than the deer mouse. The head and body measure approximately 5 – 7 inches (12.5cm – 18cm), with another 3 – 4 inches (7.5cm – 10cm) for the tail. The fur is longer and coarser, grayish-brown, even grayish-black, in color. The hantavirus strain present in the cotton rat is Black Creek Canal virus (BCCV). The cotton rat inhabits overgrown areas with shrubs and tall grasses.

Cotton Rat Habitat in North America

The cotton rat is found in the southeastern US and down into Central and South America. It inhabits overgrown areas with shrubs and tall grasses.

Cotton Rat Habitat in North America

The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus):

The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is a deceptively cute animal, with big eyes and ears. Its head and body measure approximately 2-3 inches (5cm – 7.5cm) in length, and the tail adds another 2 – 3 inches. In color, the deer mouse ranges from grey to reddish brown, depending on age. The underbelly is always white and the tail has clearly defined white sides. The hantavirus strain present in deer mice is Sin Nombre(SNV). The deer mouse is found throughout North America, preferring woodlands, but also appearing in desert areas.

Deer Mouse Habitat in North America

The deer mouse is found throughout North America, preferring woodlands, but also appearing in desert areas.

Deer Mouse Habitat in North America

Tags: hantavirus map ,hantavirus treatment, hantavirus transmission, hantavirus anxiety, hantavirus test cost ,how common is hantavirus, hantavirus prevention ,hantavirus vaccine