What is Hanta virus? Could it become a global pandemic like the emerging coronavirus?

What is Hanta virus? Could it become a global pandemic like the emerging coronavirus?

What is the truth about the Hanta virus?

China recently reported a death from Hanta infection, which prompted people to wonder whether this virus posed a real threat to their lives, and whether it would cause a global outbreak like the newly created Corona virus (COVID-19) that swept the countries of the world. Hanta virus?


The Hantavirus contains a group of viruses that are transmitted by rodents, and different types of Hantas have appeared at different time periods, and varieties of the virus have appeared in certain regions without appearing in other regions, [1] and the Hanta virus may cause Damage to the kidneys or lungs, and certain types of Hanta virus may cause damage to the lungs that are different from those that harm the kidneys. [2]

The fact that the Hanta virus appeared in China and caused the death of a citizen

A man died at the end of March 2020, as a result of infection with the Hanta virus. This prompted the Chinese authorities to test 32 people who were on the same bus that this man was traveling. ". [3]

How does Hanta virus transmit from rodents to humans?

The Hanta virus may be transmitted from mice and rats to humans, and knowing how it is transmitted is important to protect the person himself and his family from this virus and its damage, and the virus may be transmitted from rodents to a person if the person is exposed to the urine of the rodents, their faeces, or their saliva, it is natural that the person seeks to clean If the area is found to be contaminated with rodents' heirs, but during vacuuming or cleaning it may pass into the air in some way. Other things that cause transmission of the virus include touching the material or surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth or nose. As for rodent bites, it causes the transmission of the virus is very rare. [4] Experts believe that the virus is likely to be transmitted to the person also by eating food. Contaminated with urine, feces or saliva of rodents infected with the virus. [5]

Is the Hanta virus transmitted from one person to another?

Often, Hanta viruses are not transmitted from one person to another, that is, they are not transmitted by touching or kissing a person who is infected with the virus, which makes the practice of normal life easy for the patient and there is no need for severe fear of transmission to others, and it is also reassuring that the virus is not transmitted to doctors And health care providers while treating a person with the disease. [5]

Who are at risk of infection with Hanta virus?

People who work, live or play in places where rodents live are more likely to be infected with Hanta virus, and certain activities may increase the possibility of infection with Hanta virus, such as the following activities: [6]

• Opening and cleaning of buildings or barns that have not been used for a long period of time.
• House cleaning and other uninhabited areas.
• Work in homes or places containing rodents infected with HIV.
• Persons working in a job that requires exposure to rodents, such as construction, public works, or pest control.
• Join activities such as: camping, fishing, or hiking.

What are the symptoms of infection with Hanta virus?

Symptoms caused by infection with Hanta virus appear between 9-33 days after exposure to the virus, and they may appear within 7 days in some cases, and in other cases it may be longer for symptoms to appear after 8 weeks. The following is a statement of symptoms of Hanta virus: [4]

Symptoms associated with kidney damage

The Hanta virus may cause kidney damage, and this is known scientifically as hemorrhagic fever accompanied by nephrotic syndrome, and the symptoms that appear depend on the type of Hanta virus that caused the infection, some types of Hanta virus may cause mild symptoms while other types cause moderate or severe symptoms, and these symptoms What appears in the early stages of infection with the virus, including what appears later on as follows: [7]

• The initial symptoms start suddenly, including:
• Severe headache.
• Back and stomach pain.
• High fever or fever.
• Chills.
• Nausea.
• Eyes closed
• Other symptoms; Such as redness of the face, inflammation or redness of the eyes, or a rash.
• Subsequent symptoms, including the following:
• Reduction of Blood pressure.
• Acute shock.
• High levels of fluid in the body.
• Acute kidney failure.

Symptoms associated with damage to the lungs

The Hanta virus causes damage to the lungs, the condition is medically known as the Hanta virus syndrome, [8] and symptoms of this condition are classified into two phases as follows: [9]
The first and early stage in which a person suffers from influenza-like symptoms and pneumonia, including:

• Fever and chills.
• a headache.
• Muscle pain.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.

The next stage, which is more dangerous, in which a person suffers from the following symptoms:

• Cough with discharge.
• shortness of breath.
• Fluid build-up in the lungs.
• Reduction of Blood pressure.
• Decreased heart efficiency.

How do you know that you are infected with Hanta virus?

The initial symptoms of Hanta virus are similar to the symptoms of other conditions, so it may be difficult to know infection with the virus at these stages, so it is also advisable to contact the doctor if the patient has a fever, general fatigue, or shortness of breath, especially if he is exposed to rodents or their droppings In this case, a blood sample is drawn from the person and sent to the laboratory for detection or denial of the virus. [4]

How to protect yourself from the Hanta virus?

A person can protect himself and his family from the Hanta virus by following these tips and instructions: [10] [11]

• Ensure that the hands are cleaned frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose, or eyes, while washing the hands with soap and water for a period of not less than twenty seconds, drying them with tissue paper and disposing of them directly or using a hand dryer, and in the absence of water and soap You can use a 70-80% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Not providing a suitable environment for rodent nesting, so it is advisable to store food properly and handle pet food carefully to avoid becoming food for rodents.
• Dispose of all food and leftovers in garbage cans, and make sure to empty the trash on a daily basis.
• Cleaning buildings and stairs continuously, and checking all flower beds and sidewalks regularly to ensure that they are not exposed to rodents.
• Avoid dealing with live or dead rodents without wearing appropriate gloves, and do not enter areas containing infected rodents, and do not deal with rodent droppings as well as equipment and machines in rodent areas, manual tillage or agricultural land.
• Avoid sitting on floors frequented by rodents.
• In cases where a person is forced to travel to places where infection with the Hanta virus is widespread, it is worth avoiding dirty places and avoiding contact with rodents or their droppings.
• When cleaning where the rodents or any of their droppings are located; It is best to use suitable disinfectants or a mixture of bleach and water, taking care to keep the disinfectant or bleach for at least five minutes on the surfaces before drying them.
• Avoid vacuuming places where rodents have been present or if there are droppings on them to avoid breathing the air that contains the virus, taking care to wear a mask and protective gloves when cleaning.
• When dealing with dead rodents, care must be taken to wear gloves, sprinkling dead rodents and their surrounding areas with a strong antiseptic or a mixture of bleached wash and water, and soak the animal for 5 minutes and then put it in a tightly closed plastic bag and then put it in another bag and throw it in a bag Trash can be used to wash hands and dispose of gloves without touching other surfaces.
• Close all openings from which rodents may enter the home.

Is there a treatment if a person becomes infected with Hanta virus?

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Hanta virus, but early diagnosis and treatment helps to relieve symptoms and reduce the possibility of complications, and it is worth raising awareness about the importance of immediately transferring patients to the emergency department or intensive care unit to closely monitor and provide care in cases of suspected Hanta virus infection, [4] ] the therapy involves providing supportive care, and in cases of lung damage it may be necessary to subject the patient to oxygen therapy and the use of certain drugs designed to maintain blood pressure, and in some cases may be used ventilator in order to help breathing, while damaging the kidneys , there may be a need for Dialysis, and intravenous anti-viral Ribavirin may be given intravenously to reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce the risk of death. [12]

Answers to common questions about Hanta virus?

Is the Hanta virus expected to spread, as it did with the emerging COVID-19 virus?

Hanta viruses are often not transmitted from one person to another, so there is very little possibility for them to circulate, [1] in contrast to the emerging corona virus that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact or the air spray that contains the virus. [13]

Is it necessary to isolate people with Hanta virus?

Often, Hanta viruses do not spread from person to person, so there is no need to isolate a person with the virus. [1]

How long will the Hanta virus remain contagious in the environment?

The length of time that Hanta viruses can remain contagious varies with the nature of the environment in which the virus is present, and this may depend on several factors; Such as environment temperature and humidity, and whether the virus is present inside or outside the home, i.e. exposed to sunlight or not, and therefore there is no specific time period for the virus to remain contagious, so all rodent litter should be treated as infectious, and you should follow the instructions to prevent infection with a virus Hanta. [14]

What should a person do if he thinks he has been exposed to Hanta virus?

If a person believes that he has been exposed to the Hanta virus and has flu-like symptoms in addition to shortness of breath, he must immediately contact the doctor, and the importance of early diagnosis must be told to the doctor in the event that somehow contact with rodents or mice. [11]

Can other animals such as cats and dogs be infected with Hanta virus?

There is some evidence that animals are; Especially cats and dogs may be infected with the Hanta virus, but they do not show any symptoms or signs that they are infected with this virus. Cats and dogs may be exposed to this virus when prey on rodents that carry this virus. Homes or other places. [14]

Could the Hanta virus cause death?

The Hanta virus can cause death, depending on the type of infection that causes the Hanta virus, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are very important. [7]



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