By: Iyanuoluwa Oni
Hantavirus is a viral disease carried mainly by certain species of rodents such as rats and mice. These rodents often live close to human environments including homes, farms, forests, storage areas, and abandoned buildings.
Although the disease is relatively rare, it is medically important because it can quickly become life-threatening if not detected early.
The virus mainly affects the lungs or kidneys and has caused outbreaks in different parts of the world;Humans usually become infected through contact with rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.
Infection commonly occurs when contaminated particles become airborne and are inhaled. This may happen while sweeping dusty rooms, cleaning abandoned buildings, handling stored materials, or staying in places heavily infested with rodents.
Unlike many viral diseases, hantavirus does not commonly spread from one person to another, although a few rare strains in South America have shown limited human-to-human transmission.Hantavirus infections mainly occur in two major forms.
The first is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which is mostly found in North and South America.
This type mainly attacks the lungs. Early symptoms often resemble common viral illnesses and may include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
As the illness progresses, patients may develop coughing, chest tightness, and severe difficulty breathing due to fluid accumulation in the lungs without urgent medical attention, HPS can become fatal.
The second form is Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which is more common in parts of Europe and Asia. This type mainly affects the kidneys and blood vessels. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, abdominal pain, back pain, blurred vision, low blood pressure, kidney complications, and bleeding problems in severe cases. Some patients with severe HFRS may require dialysis and intensive medical care.
Human infection usually occurs through environmental exposure to infected rodents. People who clean rodent-infested buildings, sweep dry rodent droppings, live in poorly sanitized environments, camp or hike in rodent-heavy areas, or handle contaminated food and surfaces may be at higher risk.
Workers in farms, forests, storage facilities, and abandoned structures may also face increased exposure due to frequent contact with rodent habitats.Cases of hantavirus have been reported in several countries including the United States, Argentina, Chile, China, South Korea, Russia, and several parts of Europe.
Although the disease is not commonly reported in Nigeria, maintaining proper sanitation and rodent control remains important for prevention.
Diagnosing hantavirus can sometimes be difficult because the early symptoms may resemble malaria, influenza, or other common infections. Doctors may use blood tests, PCR testing, chest scans, and kidney function tests to confirm infection.
Currently, there is no universally approved specific cure for hantavirus infection. Treatment mainly focuses on supportive medical care such as oxygen therapy, intensive care support, fluid management, and dialysis in cases involving kidney failure.
Early medical attention greatly improves survival chances.Prevention mainly involves avoiding contact with rodents and maintaining good environmental hygiene.
Recommended measures include sealing holes and entry points in buildings, storing food properly, keeping surroundings clean, using traps to control rodents, ventilating closed spaces before cleaning, spraying disinfectants on rodent droppings before removal, and wearing gloves and masks during cleanup activities. Dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent waste should be avoided because it can release infectious particles into the air.
Hantavirus remains one of the lesser-known but potentially dangerous viral diseases linked to rodents. Even though infections are uncommon, the disease can rapidly damage the lungs or kidneys and become life-threatening.
Public awareness, good sanitation practices, and effective rodent control are important in reducing the risk of infection. Like many infectious diseases, prevention and early medical care remain the best forms of protection.
RENARSA PRESS UI 