Hantaviruses – A Dangerous Rodent-Spread Disease

Hantaviruses – A Dangerous Rodent-Spread Disease

A Group of Viruses

Hantavirus is actually a group of several different debilitating viruses. These different viruses can cause varying outcomes, the most common of which are Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). These diseases can affect a person’s respiratory system, kidneys, or blood and, in some serious cases, can even be fatal.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Overview: HPS is a severe infection whose transmission has exclusively been linked to exposure to wild, infected rodents. This means that, unlike many diseases, you cannot contract it by encountering other infected humans.

Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle Soreness/Aches
  • Chills
  • Intense Stomach Pain
  • Nausea, Vomiting, and or Diarrhea
  • Dizziness

Danger: This dangerous virus affects major systems within the body which can result in highly debilitating repercussions for different organs and, in serious cases, can be fatal.

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)

Overview: HFRS can be caused by a subfamily of Hantaviruses that can also result in nephropathia epidemica, Korean hemorrhagic fever, and epidemic hemorrhagic fever. The effects of this syndrome can be mild to life-threatening and transmission occurs due to exposure to infected mice or rats or, in rare cases, from contact with other infected humans.

Symptoms:

  • Intense Headaches
  • Abdominal Pain and Nausea
  • Back Pain
  • Rashes
  • Fever or Chills
  • Blurred Vision
  • Flushing of the Face
  • Redness or Inflammation of the Eyes

In severe cases, people can experience the following more drastic and life-threatening symptoms:

  • Low Blood Pressure
  • Vascular Leakage
  • Kidney Failure
  • Acute Shock
  • Severe Fluid Overload

Danger: Due to the vast varieties of the disease, a mortality rate for cases is difficult to nail down however the average seems to be between 1%-15% of cases are potentially fatal.

Transmission of Hantaviruses

The spread of Hantaviruses can be linked directly to rodents, specifically wild and invasive rodents. Diseases spread by these pests can either be indirect or direct and, in the case of Hantaviruses, it is all cases have been reported to be a result of direct disease transmission. Examples of this include:

  • Breathing airborne debris from infected rodents
  • Rodent bites
  • Direct contact with rodent excrements

 

Rodents that Carry Hantaviruses

According to the CDC, the following rodents are the most likely to carry and spread Hantaviruses:

  • Cotton Rats
  • Rice Rats
  • Deer Mice
  • White-Footed Mice

Staying Safe from Hantavirus

Rodent infestations can be extremely dangerous. Both rats and mice are known for carrying and spreading over 35 dangerous diseases in addition to those caused by Hantaviruses. Unfortunately, when rodents are infesting your home, you may be in a seemingly endless battle with cleaning and, the longer the problem persists, the more at risk you and your family are of catching dangerous diseases from the invaders. Avoid a marathon of cleaning and protect your family by calling in your Green Pest Services extermination experts at the first sign of a rodent problem. We will help you rid your home for rodents for good so you can stop constantly cleaning.

 

Citations

Diseases Directly Transmitted by Rodents (2017) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases & The Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/diseases/direct.html (Accessed: November 2021).

CDC – Hantavirus (2021) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/index.html (Accessed: December 28, 2021).

Health Hazards Posed by Rodents (2014) Pest World. National Pest Management Association. Available at: https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-health-hub/health-hazards-posed-by-rodents/ (Accessed: June 2020).

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) (2017) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hfrs/index.html (Accessed: June 2020).

Rodents (2010) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases and the Division of High-COnsequence Pathogens and Pathology. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/index.html (Accessed: January 27, 2021).