What is Hantavirus| How does it spread| How to save yourself from it?

Hantaviruses are RNA viruses that belong to the family Hantaviridae of the order Bunyavirales. These viruses are transmitted to humans by rodents. Humans may become infected with these through contact with rodent urine, saliva, feces or by a bite from an infected host (usually rodents). Some strains cause potentially fatal diseases in humans, such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hantaviruses that cause human illness cannot be transmitted from one person to another. For example, you cannot get these viruses from touching or kissing an individual who has HPS or from a health care worker who has treated someone with the disease. In Chile and Argentina, few cases of person-to-person transfer have happened among close contacts of a person who was ill with a type of Hantavirus called Andes virus.

How to save yourself from it?

• Use Rodents control as the primary measure to stop the spread of it.
• Practice social distancing.
• Seal all holes which are large enough for rodents to get in.
• Pick up or cover pet food dishes when they are not in use and store pet food in sealed containers.
• Place rodents traps where there is evidence of rodents activity to decrease their infestations.
• Remove fuel woods, old cars, waste materials and debris where rodents may live.
• Store woodpile or dried grass at least 100 feet away from buildings. Cut grass, weeds and trim bushes within 100 feet of building.

Dr. Asma Naz

She is Ph.D. holder in Agriculture (Plant Pathology and Nematology).