What is Hantavirus?

Overview

Hantaviruses are a family of RNA viruses (Bunyavirales order, Hantaviridae family) spread primarily by rodents. First isolated in 1978 near the Hantaan River in South Korea, these viruses cause two main disease forms: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) in the Old World, and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in the Americas.

Globally, tens of thousands of cases are reported annually. China accounts for the majority of HFRS cases, while the Americas see sporadic but often fatal HPS outbreaks.

Virus Types

Old World Hantaviruses (cause HFRS)

• Hantaan virus — Asia, severe form (mortality 5-15%)
• Seoul virus — Global, urban rats, moderate severity
• Puumala virus — Europe, mild form (mortality <1%)
• Dobrava virus — Balkans, severe form (mortality 5-12%)

New World Hantaviruses (cause HPS)

• Sin Nombre virus — North America (mortality 30-40%)
• Andes virus — South America, only known human-to-human transmissible hantavirus

Transmission

• Primary: Inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta (urine, feces, saliva)
• Secondary: Bite from an infected rodent
• Rare: Person-to-person (only Andes virus)
• Not transmitted: Most hantaviruses do NOT spread between humans

Risk Factors

• Rural/outdoor workers (farmers, forestry workers)
• Cleaning previously unused buildings (cabins, sheds, barns)
• Campers and hikers in endemic areas
• Laboratory personnel handling rodent specimens

Prevention

• Seal holes and gaps in homes to prevent rodent entry
• Wear N95 mask and gloves when cleaning rodent-infested areas
• Wet areas with bleach solution before cleaning (do NOT sweep dry droppings)
• Store food in sealed containers
• Keep vegetation trimmed away from building foundations