At the times when the whole world, collectively, is fighting against the novel Coronavirus pandemic, there are many other diseases that are surfacing. Cases of both Swine Flu and Bird Flu have been reported in different parts of India as well as other countries. On top of all these, a man in China was tested positive for Hantavirus.
China’s Global Times tweeted that on Monday, a man from the Yunnan Province had died while he was en route to Shandong Province for work on a bus. There were other on the bus present with him following which 32 people were also tested for the virus.
Also Read: Top Things To Do During A Lockdown Imposed Because Of Coronavirus
So What Is Hantavirus?
As per the Centres for Disease Contro and Preventions (CDC), Hantavirus is the family of viruses which are spread through rodents like rats and can cause various disease in a person.
The Hantavirus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).
Though the disease is not airborne, it can easily spread in people when they come in contact with faeces, urine, or saliva of rodents and less frequently by a bite from an infected host.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hantavirus?
Early symptoms of HPS includes fever, fatigue, muscle pain along with chills, dizziness, headaches, and abdominal problems. It is it left untreated, it can lead to coughing and shortness of breath and could result in death as well because as per CDC its mortality rate is 38%.
The initial symptoms of HFRS, too, are the same as HPS, it can cause low blood pressure, vascular leakage, acute shock and acute kidney failure.
While HPS cannot be passed from one person to another, the transmission of HFRS between people is seen but is extremely rare.
According to the CDC, the rodent population control is the first things that people and authorities should undertake to prevent the infections of Hantavirus.
