The infectious disease specialist warned about the symptoms of infection with hantavirus

Hantavirus infections remain rare, but potentially dangerous diseases that can occur with severe complications. Vladimir Neronov, MD, an infectious disease specialist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about this on May 7.

According to him, we are talking about zoonotic infections transmitted to humans from wild rodents. Depending on the type of virus, the disease can affect the kidneys, causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, or the lungs in the form of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. At an early stage, the disease is often difficult to recognize because its symptoms resemble a severe viral infection or the flu.

"As a rule, the disease begins with a sharp increase in temperature, severe headache, and muscle aches, especially in the back and hips. Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and upset stools are also possible. This period usually lasts for several days. In severe cases, serious complications can then develop — impaired kidney function or respiratory failure due to pulmonary edema," Neronov explained.

The doctor recommends paying special attention to the combination of such symptoms with a recent stay in places where contact with rodents is possible: in old country houses, barns, barns, abandoned premises or outbuildings. The infectious disease specialist attributed the alarming signs to a sharp deterioration in the condition a few days after the onset of the disease, lower back pain, spot hemorrhages on the skin, shortness of breath and the appearance of bloody sputum. With such symptoms, immediate hospitalization is required.

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The incubation period of infection can range from one to eight weeks, but most often symptoms appear two to four weeks after contact with the source of infection.

Neronov explained that the death rate depends on the specific strain of the virus. European variants tend to cause milder forms of the disease, while some American strains can be fatal in 30-50% of cases due to the rapid development of pulmonary edema. At the same time, the doctor stressed that there is no need to talk about the risk of a global pandemic.

"Hantavirus is fundamentally different from respiratory infections. The main route of transmission is from rodents to humans through aerosols containing particles of their secretions. Human—to-human transmission is unusual for most known strains," he noted.

According to the expert, outbreaks are usually local in nature and are associated with the growth of the rodent population, as well as the living conditions of people in rural areas or forest areas. To date, there is no universal vaccine against hantaviruses. In some countries, drugs are used against certain strains, but they do not provide protection against the full range of viruses. The main preventive measures remain the protection of premises from rodent intrusion, the storage of food in closed containers, as well as wet cleaning of potentially dangerous premises with a mask and gloves.

The expert stressed that for the majority of residents of temperate latitudes, hantavirus remains a rare infection, however, if characteristic symptoms appear after contact with a potentially infected environment, it is necessary to seek medical help immediately.

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France 24 TV channel reported on May 3 that an outbreak of hantavirus had occurred on board the M/V Hondius cruise ship en route from Argentina to Cape Verde, killing at least two people. Later, the press service of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of infected people had increased to eight.

On May 5, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, epidemiologist, Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Onishchenko ruled out the threat of the spread of hantaviruses in Russia. He noted that, if necessary, specialists will be able to cope with the situation.

In addition, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on May 6 that virologists in South Africa had identified the hantavirus strain that killed three passengers on the M/V Hondius cruise ship. According to him, this is the only strain out of 38 known that can be transmitted between humans.