Dr. Yong revealed that "Hantavirus" has long been found in Thailand but is a different strain from the one currently spreading, emphasizing that the risk is very low and not a cause for concern.
On 10 May 2026, Professor Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Clinical Virology Specialty Center at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, posted a message regarding "Is Hantavirus disease scary for Thailand?"
He stated that Hantavirus is an RNA virus in the Hantaviridae family, with rodents and other small mammals as the main reservoir hosts. Humans typically become infected by inhaling dust or coming into contact with rodent secretions such as urine, feces, or saliva contaminated in the environment.
The name "Hanta" comes from the Hantan River in South Korea, where the virus was first discovered after the Korean War. When I was a student, I already knew that when dengue fever occurred, we had to differentiate it from this virus in cases involving kidney failure. Later, when leptospirosis emerged, we still considered this virus because the symptoms are quite similar.
This disease occurs worldwide and is divided into two clinical syndromes:
1. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), resembling dengue fever with kidney problems, common in Asia and Europe.
2. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), involving respiratory or lung symptoms, found particularly in the Americas, especially South America.
The disease is transmitted by inhaling dust contaminated by rodents, contact with rodent excreta, or rodent bites (rarely). Generally, "rarely" transmitted from person to person, except for the Andes strain in South America, which is currently in the news.
Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Severe cases may involve kidney failure, bleeding similar to dengue fever, pulmonary edema, and respiratory failure. The Andes strain currently spreading and in the news has a fatality rate of 30–40%.
Is it found in Thailand?
Thailand "Has been found" Evidence of Hantavirus and antibodies against it in both rodents and humans has been detected. The virus or its genetic material has been found in various rodent species, especially rats such as bandicoot rats. Antibodies have also been found in certain groups of people, particularly those who are exposed to rodents or work in agriculture.
Hantavirus disease is very rare in Thailand, and the strains found are different, as shown in the illustration. The risk for Thailand is considered very low, since although this virus exists in Thailand, it is a different strain and has been present for more than 40–50 years. Therefore, it is not a cause for concern.
Thanks to Yong Poovorawan