How to Prevent Hantavirus

You may remember hearing when iconic actor, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, passed away last year at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Arakawa had tested positive for hantavirus. Now, though considered extremely rare, the dangerous hantavirus broke out on a small expedition cruise ship that set sail from Argentina last month. So far, three people have died and others have been sickened, including the ship’s physician whose condition is said to be improving. Other guests learned they contracted hantavirus after departing the ship and are currently being treated.

While any outbreak is concerning and common-sense measures should be in place to stay safe, we want to emphasize the extreme rarity of hantavirus infections. There is a relatively small number of cases globally every year, though the nature of this outbreak being on a cruise ship drew international attention. Keep reading to learn more about hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), including its symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and prevention strategies.

What Is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare, yet highly infectious, rodent-borne respiratory disease affecting the lungs and heart. Caused by hantavirus infection, HPS begins with flu-like symptoms and rapidly progresses. If left untreated, HPS can lead to life-threatening lung and heart complications.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted by inhaling air infected by rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Other ways to contract hantavirus include eating food contaminated with rodent saliva, urine or droppings, touching contaminated objects, being bitten and scratched by infected animals or, in rare cases, human-to-human transmission.

Which Animals Carry Hantavirus?

Typical carriers of hantavirus are squirrels, deer mice, white-footed mice, rice rats and cotton rats. Although this virus is extremely dangerous to humans, there have been no reports of cats or dogs developing the virus. In Betsy Arakawa’s and Gene Hackman’s cases, it’s believed they contracted the virus from rodent droppings found around their home.

Is Hantavirus Spread Human-to-Human?

In rare cases involving specific South American strains of hantavirus, such as the Andes virus which may be at play on the cruise ship as it departed from Argentina, hantavirus can be spread from human-to-human for those in close contact or in close quarters with one another.

In the case of the cruise ship outbreak, the World Health Organization believes two of the people on the cruise, a husband and wife from the Netherlands, were initially infected before boarding the ship while they were engaging in wildlife expeditions. However, subsequent infections could stem from fellow passengers passing it on to each other.

How Common Is Hantavirus in the United States?

Hantavirus infections are very rare in the United States, with fewer than 30 cases reported annually nationwide. Since tracking began in 1993, approximately 890 cases of HPS have been reported, primarily in Western states. Though rare, the disease is highly fatal, with a mortality rate of about one-third, or 33%. Getting medical help and starting treatment quickly is vital.

How Hantavirus Affects the Body

According to the American Lung Association, once hantavirus is contracted, it begins to affect the cells that line the tiny blood vessels in the lungs. This causes the blood vessels to become more transparent, allowing fluid to enter the lungs, making it harder to breathe. If the virus reaches the heart, it affects its ability to properly pump blood to the rest of the body.

Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

If you develop hantavirus, it can cause flu-like symptoms, making it harder to identify. After becoming infected with hantavirus, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks, but sometimes up to 8 weeks, to experience symptoms.

Early symptoms of hantavirus may include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever and chills
• Headaches
• Muscle aches or pain
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

If you believe you’ve been exposed to hantavirus and are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek emergency care so you can get checked and treated. The earlier treatment is begun, the better the chances of overcoming the illness.

Risk Factors for Hantavirus Infection

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are four main risk factors for contracting hantavirus and developing HPS:

• Cleaning unused buildings
• Household exposure
• Occupational exposure
• Recreational exposure (camping)

Venturing into vacant buildings or cluttered garages puts you at a greater risk since these locations typically house these rodents. Household exposure is also common. When mice or rats enter your attic or house, they leave urine, saliva and droppings in every nook and cranny. When cleaning your home, especially in rodent-infested areas, it can be easy to come into contact with this excrement. Those who work in the agricultural industry, like farmers and construction workers, are at a greater risk of exposure since they spend much of their time outdoors. And, to no surprise, recreational activities like camping also expose you to HPS.

Treating Hantavirus

Unfortunately, there is no cure for hantavirus infection. The good news is, if it’s caught early, there’s a greater chance of a full recovery. Those who develop HPS may need to spend time in the intensive care unit (ICU) for proper treatment. Typically, this involves supportive care like intubation and oxygen therapy, fluid replacement and various medications.

How to Prevent Hantavirus Infection

When it comes to hantavirus and HPS, prevention is the best medicine. According to the American Lung Association, the best ways to prevent it include:

• Bringing the infested areas to the attention of local or state officials
• Identifying potential nesting sites and properly removing rodents
• Open rodent-invested spaces to aerate the area
• Sealing up holes and cracks that rodents could enter

To clean rodent-infested spaces, you must wear gloves, safety glasses and a mask covering your nose and mouth. Consider trimming brush or anything that could be nesting material near your house. Set traps to help prevent the spread of these rodents. Ultimately, eliminating contact with these animals is the best way to prevent a hantavirus infection.

Compassionate Care When You Need Us Most

If you’re worried that you’ve been exposed to hantavirus or are having concerning pulmonary symptoms, we’re here for you.

Visit us here to learn more about our pulmonary care services or to schedule an appointment. We’re committed to helping you breathe easy for a lifetime.