Hantavirus is a virus primarily found in rodents, transmitted to humans through their urine, feces, or saliva. Situations such as cleaning enclosed spaces or working on farms or in forests increase the risk.
Scientists have noted that the Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that can be transmitted from person to person. However, this occurs very rarely, through close and prolonged contact.
The main symptoms of the disease include fever, headache and muscle pain, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can affect the lungs, heart, or kidneys.
Depending on the type of hantavirus, it can cause various serious illnesses in humans. It may cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, which affects the lungs and heart, or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which damages the kidneys.
According to experts, viruses prevalent in North and South America more often affect the lungs and heart, while those in Europe and Asia primarily cause kidney-related complications.
Currently, scientists have stated that there is no evidence that this strain spreads faster or causes more severe illness than other Andes viruses.
According to the WHO, hantavirus is considered a rare disease. There is no specific treatment for it; doctors mainly focus on alleviating symptoms. The fatality rate ranges from 1–15% in Europe and Asia and can reach up to 50% in the Americas.
According to the WHO, the risk of virus transmission among the general population is assessed as "very low."
