Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

GS-2-Health

Context:

A recent case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) has gained attention following the death of the wife of an Oscar-winning actor.

About Hantavirus

• Hantaviruses belong to a family of viruses primarily carried by rodents, which can lead to severe illness and fatalities in humans.
• Endemic Region: HPS is prevalent in the Western Hemisphere.

Transmission & Spread

• Rodent-Borne Disease: Infected rodents transmit the virus through their urine, feces, and saliva.
• Human-to-Human Transmission: While uncommon, certain strains, such as the Andes virus, have been known to spread from person to person.

Types of Hantaviruses

• Different hantavirus strains exist globally, each associated with a specific rodent host.
• The deer mouse is the primary carrier of the most frequently detected HPS-causing hantavirus.
• A separate condition, Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), is caused by hantaviruses predominantly found in Europe and Asia.

Who Is at Risk?

• People working or residing in areas with high rodent activity are at greater risk.
• Vulnerable groups include farmers, construction workers, and individuals cleaning old or abandoned spaces.

Symptoms of HPS

• Early Symptoms: Resemble the flu, including fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and abdominal pain.
• Advanced Stage: Severe breathing difficulties due to fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading to chest tightness.

Mortality & Treatment

• Fatality Rate: Around 38% of individuals who develop respiratory symptoms succumb to the disease.
• Treatment: Currently, no specific cure or antiviral treatment is available for HPS.