



Hantaviruses are viruses that can cause serious diseases and are primarily carried by rodents like rats and mice. Humans can become infected by breathing in dust contaminated with infected animals’ saliva, urine, or droppings, or by touching contaminated materials. While most hantaviruses do not spread from person to person, the Andes virus in South America is a rare exception that can cause limited human-to-human transmission.
In Asia and Europe, hantaviruses typically cause HFRS, a disease that affects the kidneys. In the Americas, they can trigger HPS, a severe lung infection with a fatality rate of about 35%-50%. Early symptoms, such as fever and muscle aches, often resemble those of the flu, so early diagnosis is important.
Since there is no effective cure or widely available vaccine for hantavirus infections, prevention is vital. You should seal gaps in your home, use traps, and clear food sources to keep rodents away. Keeping your environment clean is one of the best ways to stay safe.
