Hantavirus: What the Public and Health Care Professionals Should Know

Rat looking right. Hantavirus

(Adobe Stock 814063034 by Anastasiia)

What Is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a serious rodent-borne pathogen that poses a significant risk to human health, particularly its ability to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Infection preventionists (IPs) are critical in early identification, risk mitigation, and public education to prevent transmission in healthcare and community settings. Understanding how hantavirus spreads, recognizing its symptoms, and implementing preventive measures can help reduce the risk of outbreaks and protect health care workers and the public.

Hantaviruses are primarily spread by rodents through aerosolized urine, droppings, or saliva, as well as direct contact with infected rodents. HPS, which is more common in North America, is a severe respiratory disease that can cause life-threatening complications such as pulmonary edema and respiratory failure. HFRS, more prevalent in Europe and Asia, affects the kidneys and can lead to internal bleeding and multi-organ failure. Despite some differences in disease progression, both conditions require rapid diagnosis and supportive medical care.

There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, so prevention remains the most effective defense against infection.

The risk of hantavirus exposure is highest in environments where rodents are present, such as rural homes, barns, grain silos, basements, and outdoor work sites. Health care workers must also be cautious when treating symptomatic patients, ensuring proper airborne precautions are in place. Individuals working in construction, farming, forestry, and environmental cleanup are particularly vulnerable, as they may unknowingly disturb rodent nesting areas and inhale contaminated particles.

Travel-related cases have also been reported, as individuals visiting or returning from regions with active hantavirus transmission may unknowingly carry the virus.

Symptoms of hantavirus infection vary depending on whether the patient has HPS or HFRS. HPS typically begins with fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting, followed by severe shortness of breath and coughing as fluid builds up in the lungs. The mortality rate for HPS is approximately 36%, making early diagnosis and hospitalization essential. HFRS presents with fever, headaches, abdominal pain, and kidney dysfunction, which can progress to life-threatening complications such as low blood pressure, shock, and internal bleeding.

Preventing hantavirus infections requires a multifaceted approach. Rodent control is one of the most effective strategies, with measures such as sealing building cracks, eliminating food sources, and using traps or bait stations to reduce rodent populations.

In health care facilities, proper ventilation and strict infection control protocols should be followed to minimize the risk of airborne transmission. Cleaning rodent-infested areas must be done safely, as sweeping or vacuuming contaminated surfaces can aerosolize the virus. Instead, affected areas should be sprayed with a disinfectant solution, left to sit for several minutes, and then wiped with disposable towels while wearing protective equipment, such as N95 respirators, gloves, and eye protection.

Health care workers treating suspected hantavirus cases should follow airborne precautions, using personal protective equipment such as N95 masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection. Patients with confirmed hantavirus infection should be placed in negative pressure isolation rooms to prevent potential airborne transmission. Training staff on the early recognition of hantavirus symptoms and the importance of infection control measures is essential for reducing the risk of exposure.

Surveillance and timely reporting are also crucial in preventing the spread of hantavirus. Clinicians should test for hantavirus in patients with symptoms consistent with HPS or HFRS and a known history of rodent exposure. All confirmed cases should be reported to public health authorities for monitoring and outbreak prevention.

Raising awareness about hantavirus is essential for IPs to reduce the risks associated with this deadly pathogen. Implementing strong rodent control programs, ensuring proper cleaning protocols, and educating both healthcare workers and the public on prevention strategies can significantly reduce transmission.

As spring and summer bring increased rodent activity, infection prevention efforts must remain a top priority. By taking proactive measures, health care professionals can protect their communities and prevent hantavirus outbreaks from becoming a more significant public health threat.