Hantaviruses are currently the topic of great concern worldwide with a large proportion of the 147 passengers on the cruise ship, the ‘MV Hondius’, that left Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1st being either suspected or confirmed cases of the disease.

Hantaviruses are rodent‑borne viruses that can cause two distinct syndromes in humans, a cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) or Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). They may occur after seemingly minor exposures to contaminated dust or droppings. Infections are rare and are largely geographic in nature (HCPS in the Americas and HFRS in Asia and Europe) but can be life‑threatening with up to 50% mortality reported. There is also a prolonged incubation period of approximately 1-8 weeks from exposure event to symptom onset, making early recognition and specialist care essential. Most hantaviruses do not cause human-to-human transmission, however the ‘Andes virus’ which has sporadic outbreaks in Argentina, is capable of facilitating transmission through close or prolonged contact with infected individuals, as per the World Health Organisation.

The exact mechanism of the index patient’s infection is currently unknown. Most people are exposed when they breathe in dust contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, for example, when sweeping or cleaning out sheds, garages, farm buildings, holiday cabins, or storage areas where rodents have been nesting. Less commonly, infection can follow a rodent bite or direct contact of broken skin with fresh rodent excreta.

Specifically with respect to HCPS, it starts with flu‑like symptoms such as fever, chills, marked muscle aches and headache, then may rapidly progress over a few days to cough, shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs, and shock. By contrast, HFRS more often affects the kidneys, starting with fever and pain, and in severe cases leading to low blood pressure, bleeding problems and acute kidney injury. Any rapidly worsening “flu‑like” illness with breathing difficulty or reduced urine output after rodent exposure needs urgent medical assessment.

The Australian public are of no risk to acquiring a Hantavirus provided they have not travelled to an endemic areas or been in contact with individuals that have active disease. Unlike corona viruses, hantavirus does not harbour the potential for a pandemic. Specialised testing can be performed, in consultation with an Infectious Diseases Specialist.

For more information, you can contact us and book an appointment at https://drclintoncolaco.com.au/
T: (02) 9054 1257
F: (02) 8252 2061
E: info@drclintoncolaco.com.au