Not exactly.
Hantavirus’ hosts are wild rodents like rats, mice and voles.
These rodents, when infected, can carry the virus without getting sick themselves.
Humans only contract the virus if they inhale dust that is contaminated by the urine, faeces or saliva of these infected rodents.
Hantavirus was originally noticed on two main continents.
The first was in Asia.
During the Korean War in the 1950s, over 3,000 United Nations troops fell ill with bleeding and kidney failure.
Everyone was mystified as to the cause.
Eventually, it was discovered that it was a “new” virus that caused those symptoms.
Scientists finally managed to isolate this virus sometime in 1978 – well over 20 years after the original outbreak.
They isolated it from a mouse near the Hantan River of South Korea.
That is why the virus was named hantavirus.
The South Korean strain of hantavirus is known to cause fever, bleeding and kidney failure.
Then, in the 1990s, the virus was discovered to be the cause of an outbreak in the United States.
Apparently, there was a massive increase in the deer mouse population around then, and this caused the wide spread of hantavirus among humans.
This particular American strain is known to cause respiratory problems.
The Andes strain from South America is the only known version of the hantavirus to transmit from human to human.
A study published in 2021 had examined the Andes hantavirus strain from Chile and Argentina, and noted that it may be possible this strain could be transmitted from human to human.
The cruise ship incident is not the first case of hantavirus human-to-human transmission.
Infectious disease experts from around the world say hantavirus will not be another Covid-19, so you can rest easy!
The hantavirus is different from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.
Unlike the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads easily through airborne respiratory droplets to infect humans, the hantavirus is transmitted mainly through inhaled dust that is contaminated by infected rodent droppings, urine or saliva.
It is true that the Andes strain can pass from human to human, but it is only through very close contact, e.g. frequent hugging, which the cruise ship people were reportedly doing.
Hantavirus causes severe symptoms, and it is only during this period that an infected person can transmit the Andean strain to another person.
Covid-19 was very hard to detect because you could have no symptoms and still transmit the virus.
Hantavirus also apparently does not mutate quickly, unlike either the SARS-CoV-2 or influenza viruses.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely to cause a widespread pandemic.
It will depend on which strain you are infected with.
If you were infected with the American type, you may start with fever, tiredness, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea – pretty much like other viral illnesses.
Then 10 days later, you would start having lung issues, such as coughing and shortness of breath.
Your lungs can fill with fluid and literally drown you if you don’t seek treatment immediately.
This is known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), and it can be very dangerous.
More than one-third of people who have it could die.
If you get the Korean type, it also starts pretty much the same way: fever, chills, headache (which can be very bad), abdominal and back pain, and nausea.
Some people also develop face flushing and redness of the eyes.
Then later, you may have internal bleeding, leading to lack of blood flow to the organs in your body, such as your kidneys.
Your kidneys can then go into kidney failure.
Some hantavirus strains cause very severe disease.
Others cause moderate disease.
It is closer to the American version, seeing as how the strain originates from South America.
Patients tend to develop respiratory symptoms.
Therefore, it is a very dangerous strain.
The best way is avoidance.
You need to get rid of all types of rodents in your home.
Make sure you seal holes in your house, such as the drain traps.
If you have rats, get rid of them with rat traps or rat bait.
If you are afraid of the Andes strain, be sure to stay away from people who have the symptoms mentioned above.
As the symptoms are similar to those of other viruses and diseases, it is best to just stay away from anyone who is visibly ill.
You also should not share cups, plates or utensils with sick people.
Do not touch or hug them.
Remember, there is no cure for the hantavirus infection.
Only supportive care is available in hospitals, e.g. ventilators if you have breathing difficulties, and dialysis if you have kidney failure.
The virus needs to run its course in your body as your immune system fights it off on its own.
Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
