Symptoms & prevention

What it is

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents. They can cause two distinct syndromes depending on the virus involved:

• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) — found primarily in the Americas (Sin Nombre virus, Andes virus).
• Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) — found primarily in Asia and Europe (Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala, Dobrava viruses).

Common symptoms

Early stage (1–8 weeks after exposure)

• Fever and chills
• Severe muscle aches (especially in thighs, hips, back)
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea

Later stage (4–10 days after early symptoms)

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
• Fluid in the lungs (HPS)
• Reduced kidney function (HFRS)

How it spreads

People most often get hantavirus from breathing in air contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva — typically when cleaning or entering an area with a rodent infestation. Less commonly, from being bitten or from direct contact.

With the exception of Andes virus in South America, hantaviruses are not generally transmitted between people.

Prevention

• ▸Seal entry points. Close gaps larger than 1/4 inch in homes, sheds, and vehicles.
• ▸Eliminate food sources. Store food and trash in rodent-proof containers.
• ▸Trap rodents safely. Use snap traps; avoid handling rodents with bare hands.
• ▸Ventilate before cleaning. Air out closed-up cabins, sheds, and crawl spaces for 30 minutes.
• ▸Don't sweep or vacuum. Both create aerosols that can spread the virus.

Cleaning a contaminated area

1. Wear rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves and a well-fitting mask.
2. Spray droppings, nests, and dead rodents with a disinfectant or 1:10 bleach solution. Soak for 5 minutes.
3. Use paper towels to pick up droppings and place in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Mop or sponge the area with disinfectant.
5. Disinfect gloves before removing, then wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.