Hantavirus explained: What to know after the cruise ship outbreak

 

A cruise ship is currently stranded off the coast of West Africa after a suspected hantavirus outbreak killed three people and made several others very sick. Health officials have found a small number of confirmed and suspected cases of this rare virus on board.

What is hantavirus?

This class of virus was first identified in the Hantaan River area in Korea. Mice and other rodents often carry the hantavirus. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their saliva, urine, and droppings.

Hantavirus was first recognized in the United States in 1993 (see "A mouse story") and has since been identified throughout the country. Although rare, the disease is potentially deadly, especially if it involves the kidneys, heart, or lungs.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

Early symptoms of the disease include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups - thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders. About half of all people infected also experience headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Four to 10 days later, other symptoms may appear, including coughing and shortness of breath, as the lungs fill with fluid.

The incubation period - the time between when a person is infected and when they begin to experience symptoms - is usually in the range of two to three weeks, but may be as long as eight weeks.

How do you get hantavirus?

Human-to-human spread of hantavirus is unusual, but may have occurred in the current outbreak on a cruise ship now off the coast of Cape Verde. So far in this outbreak, seven people have become ill with confirmed or suspected hantavirus; three of them have died. According to the World Health Organization, a rare type of hantavirus, called the Andes virus, may be responsible as it may rarely spread from person to person.

Hantavirus infections are not considered a significant risk to the public because of how rare they are and how rarely the virus spreads from person to person.

Hantavirus treatment

There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. An antiviral drug called ribavirin is sometimes recommended as it has proven effective for a specific type of hantavirus that causes kidney failure; however, it has not been proven effective for lung and heart involvement.

People who recognize signs of the infection early and promptly receive care may fare better than those who wait longer before seeking care. If the illness is recognized early, patients are given oxygen therapy to help them through the period of severe respiratory distress.

If you have been around rodents and have symptoms of fever, deep muscle aches, and severe shortness of breath, see your doctor immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor that you have been around rodents: this will alert your physician to look closely for any rodent-carried disease such as hantavirus. If hantavirus infection is suspected, take standard precautions, including distancing and wearing N95 masks, especially if the Andes virus is a concern.

Can hantavirus be prevented?

Many people who become ill with hantavirus say they did not see rodents or rodent droppings. This makes it all the more important to use good preventive methods - particularly in areas where the virus is known to exist - even if signs of rodents are not obvious.

Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection. This includes eliminating or minimizing contact with rodents in your home, workplace, or campsite. Discourage rodent habitation by sealing holes and gaps in your home or garage. Place traps in and around your home to reduce rodent infestation. And clean up any easy-to-get food.