Hantaviruses are a group of viruses which can spread from wildlife to humans. People become infected after breathing in dust from animal droppings. Hantavirus starts out similarly to the flu. Later, it can cause bleeding, kidney disease, or issues with breathing. Hantavirus infection can be serious and potentially fatal. Although there is not yet a specific treatment for hantavirus, hospitals can treat the symptoms and improve outcomes. Hantavirus infection is uncommon, and it almost never spreads between people. You can reduce hantavirus risk by avoiding rodent droppings, particularly when it is dry or dusty.
Hantavirus illness starts similarly to the flu. Early symptoms include sudden high fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms can also include muscle aches, backache, and abdominal pains or diarrhoea. These flulike symptoms start two to four weeks after being infected. Later symptoms depend on which type of hantavirus is causing the infection.
Old World hantaviruses cause haemorrhagic fever with renal symptoms. Patients with this illness develop bloodshot eyes and pinprick bruises. This is followed by low blood pressure and a risk of bleeding and infection. Old World hantaviruses can also cause the kidneys to not work as well.
New World hantaviruses cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. This illness involves difficulty breathing and a cough which worsens over time. For many patients, a ventilator machine is necessary to breathe.
Hantaviruses are carried by wild animals, particularly mice, voles, and other rodents. Hantaviruses have also been found in other animals including bats. These viruses do not make their rodent hosts sick, but they can cause serious illness in humans.
Hantaviruses spread to humans by breathing in dust from animal droppings. Sweeping, harvesting crops, or otherwise disturbing areas with rodent droppings can cause the virus to become airborne. People who work in areas with rodents are at higher risk, including farmers, construction workers, soldiers, and foresters. There is also a risk while cleaning sheds, attics, or other seldom used areas of the house.
Hantavirus is diagnosed by a blood test for antibodies to hantavirus. Antibodies are small molecules created by the immune system while fighting off an infection. Antibody testing shows if someone has a hantavirus infection, or has had one in the past.
There is currently no specific treatment directly for hantavirus. Treatment focuses on improving symptoms. Doctors will test that patients have the correct amount of fluids. For patients whose kidneys are affected by HFRS, dialysis may be needed. Dialysis uses a machine to filter the blood, since the kidneys are not working well.
Hantavirus infection is serious and can be lethal. Between 1% and 15% of people with HFRS will die, depending on the specific hantavirus. Death rates from HCPS are even higher, but HCPS only occurs in the Americas.
There are two main groups of hantaviruses, Old World and New World. Within these groups, there are over 28 hantaviruses which cause illness in humans. Old world hantavirus cases are most often found in Europe and Asia, although there have been cases in Africa. China is the country with the most cases of Old World hantavirus infection. To date, New World hantavirus has only been found in North and South America.
Hantavirus infection does not normally occur in South Africa. As of 2022, there has only been one documented case of hantavirus in South Africa. This patient became infected in Europe and then travelled to South Africa. However, antibody testing found that 1.0% of people studied in the South African Cape region had previously been exposed to hantaviruses. There may be cases of hantavirus in South Africa which are mild or are not being diagnosed.
To reduce the risk of hantavirus infection, control and avoid rodents. Make sure all grains and other food sources in the house are secured. Avoid going into forests and other areas where there may be rodents or bats. Consider wearing a mask if you will be in areas where there may be rodent droppings. For indoor areas such as sheds, open the windows and doors to reduce dust.
Hantavirus infection is a serious but uncommon illness. Knowing the causes of hantavirus can help you to further reduce the risk and stay safe.