Hantavirus Outbreak

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Health

Why in News?

Recently, The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed five hantavirus cases and three fatalities aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, near Cape Verde.

Hantavirus

• Hantaviruses are rodent‑borne viruses transmitted via urine, droppings, or saliva, causing severe human disease.
• The species of hantavirus involved in this case is the Andes virus.
• Diseases Caused
  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) – Severe respiratory illness.
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) – Primarily affecting the kidneys and causing vascular leakage.
• Global Spread – Found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas (North, Central and South).
• Transmission – Primarily through inhalation of aerosolised rodent droppings; not easily spread person‑to‑person.

Andes virus is the only hantavirus species known to spread between humans.

Diagnosis

• Serology (ELISA) – Detects Immunoglobulins (IgM) antibodies produced at the onset of infection; standard method to confirm active cases of HPS and HFRS.
• Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‑PCR) – Identifies viral RNA directly in blood; useful in the very early acute phase, even before antibodies appear.

ELISA looks for antibodies, RT‑PCR looks for the virus’s genetic material.

Symptoms

• Incubation – 1–8 weeks post exposure.
• Early Phase – Flu‑like symptoms – fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, mild diarrhoea.
• Severe Phase – Respiratory distress, coughing, chest tightness, pneumonia‑like signs; can progress to acute respiratory failure.
• Recovery – Survivors may take weeks to months to fully recover from fatigue and lung damage.
• Fatality Window – Deaths often occur within days of severe respiratory distress if not treated promptly.

Treatment

•  No Vaccine / Specific Antiviral available.
• Supportive Care – Hospitalisation, oxygen therapy, respiratory assistance, IV fluids.
• Early Detection – Crucial to prevent progression to severe respiratory distress.
• Prevention – Rodent control, sanitation, avoiding exposure to rodent habitats.

References

1. The Hindu | Hantavirus
2. BBC | Hantavirus