Dr. Vladimir Nironov, an infectious disease specialist, pointed out that the early symptoms of Hantavirus can easily be confused with those of a viral infection
According to him, hantavirus infection remains a rare but serious disease that can lead to severe complications. This zoonotic infection is transmitted to humans from wild rodents. Depending on the type of virus, the disease may affect the kidneys, causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, or the lungs, causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Diagnosis in its early stages is often difficult because its symptoms resemble those of a severe viral infection or influenza.
He says: “The disease usually begins with a sharp rise in temperature, severe headache, and muscle pain, especially in the back and hips. This may be accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, which usually lasts for several days. In severe cases, serious complications may occur, such as kidney failure or respiratory failure as a result of pulmonary edema.”
The doctor advises paying close attention to the appearance of these symptoms after recent exposure to rodents—old summer houses, barns, grain stores, abandoned buildings, or outbuildings. Warning signs include a sharp decline in health a few days after the onset of illness, including lower back pain, small bleeding under the skin, shortness of breath, and the appearance of bloody sputum. These symptoms necessitate immediate hospitalization.
The doctor points out that the incubation period for the infection is from one week to eight weeks, but symptoms often appear 2-4 weeks after infection.
According to him, the mortality rate depends on the virus strain. European strains typically cause milder symptoms, while some American strains can be fatal in 30-50 percent of cases due to the rapid development of pulmonary edema. However, he maintains that there is no risk of a global pandemic.
He says: "Hantavirus is fundamentally different from respiratory infections. The main way it is transmitted is from rodents to humans via droplets containing particles from their feces. Human-to-human transmission is rare for most known strains."
According to him, outbreaks are usually localized and linked to increased rodent populations and living conditions in rural areas. Currently, there is no universal vaccine against hantaviruses. While some countries use medications against specific strains, these do not provide protection against all types of the virus. The primary preventative measures remain protecting buildings from rodents, storing food in sealed containers, and thoroughly cleaning potentially hazardous areas with a damp cloth while wearing a mask and gloves.
The expert confirms that Hantavirus is still a rare infection for most people in temperate regions, but if characteristic symptoms appear after exposure to a potentially contaminated environment, medical care should be sought immediately.
