Learn About Hantavirus Before Its Too Late

Highlights

Chinese state-media reported: A man in China died because of ‘Hantavirus’.

Hantavirus is present for decades and it’s not a new one.

is present for decades and it’s not a new one. It doesn’t transmit from person to person.

On twitter, Hantavirus becomes top trend early morning.

What is Hantavirus?

So, the current recent situation of the world in which every region is trying their best to get rid of the virus Coronavirus. A new news hit the state that is about the new virus. So, what is this new virus everyone got shocked and disturbed about this news? Many questions arise in every mind about this. So, trying to clear something regarding to this virus named as Hantavirus.

Background of Hantavirus

This virus is not the new one for the world. Hantavirus was introduced in the early 1950s when almost 3000 people got this in South Korean. In America Hantavirus is known as “New World” which root Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). It is a severe, at times mortal. Moreover, it causes respiratory disease in humans. Anyone who interacts with rodents carrying Hantaviruses may suffer from HPS. the main threat for Hantavirus is the rodents moving inside or outside the house. In Asia and Europe, it is known as Old World causing fever known as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

So, in Korea, this virus took place the first time and it was named by a river name Hantan. The vaccines have been developed for this virus. So, Hantavirus is not as dangerous as Corona Virus. It does not spread from one person to another. So, there is no need to get extreme panic by knowing this news.

Read: Favilavir: First approved drug to treat COVID-19

In 1993, It spreads to humans by rodent feces, urine, and saliva and by air-born particles containing these items at the southwestern U.S. In 2012, an outbreak occurs at Yosemite National Park by deer mice and transferred to human and 10 cases were found. Similarly, in 2017, a Seoul virus infection was introduced that infected 17 people in seven states. Hantavirus do not spread from human to human till now. Now the latest news surrounding the person in the China area Yunnan got this virus when traveling in a bus.

Hantavirus Incubation

The incubation period of Hantavirus is round about one to five weeks

is round about one to five weeks Physicians normally diagnose it by the patient’s lung symptoms or the personal association with the rodents.

Patient normally contact with the rodent-contaminated airborne dust.

Hantavirus Symptoms

The early symptoms are flu that lasts 4 to 10 days, Fever, Fatigue, Muscle pain especially in legs, back and hips. Some of the people may have the symptoms include abdominal pain, Nausea, Diarrhea, Headaches, Vomiting, and Dizziness. Late symptoms occur about 4 to 10 days after early symptoms that can become severe like kidney failure or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

Treatment

Yet there is no accurate treatment for Hantavirus. The CDC reports that early treatment may help to get rid of this virus in an intensive care unit (ICU) that allow patient to survive from HPS. The drug Ribavirin has been experimentally checked, but there is no current data available showing that this is effective. But this drug decrease illness and death. The major complication is death from respiratory failure. The patients who survive do not have any chronic disease.

Prevention

Currently, the Hantavirus patient death rate is 38% and the survival rate is 62%. It can be better if some precautions should be taken. First early diagnosis that is sometimes difficult because the person does not know that they have contact with rodent having Hantavirus. So, it’s better to eliminate and reduce contact with rodent. At home, workplace, barns, and sheds sealing up holes and gaps, placing traps and keeping areas clean as much as can be possible. Wearing gloves and mask lessen the chance for infection. Disinfection of contaminated surfaces prevent the disease.

Do not use vacuum this action may increase the risk of Hantavirus by generating an aerosol. It can be reduced by using detergent and half a cup of bleach per gallon of water to wipe or spray the rodent urine.

Coronavirus VS Hantavirus

Now due to the corona virus, the news hitting of new virus made people panic but there is no need to become stressful. Cleanliness is the main point to be followed at this moment. Try to keep yourself and your surroundings safe and clean. Act as a responsible citizen and follow the guidelines given by the authorities. And Hantavirus is in China and it does not spread by personal contact so that should not become pandemic as Coronavirus hope so. But do not avoid any situation if any symptoms occur do medical checkup and try to keep cleanliness.

Read: Top 10 Dangerous Viruses in the world