Check symptoms of illness "Hantavirus Disease" A life-threatening infectious disease; warns at-risk groups that no specific antiviral medication for hantavirus exists currently.
Following the Ministry of Public Health announcing an upgrade to major public health surveillance measures by adding "Hantavirus infectious disease" (Hantavirus Disease) to the list of dangerous communicable diseases to prevent spread and enhance disease control efficiency.
Hantavirus is part of the Orthohantavirus group within the Hantaviridae family, found in various rodent species, especially wild rats, field rats, and house rats. The virus is shed in the urine, feces, and saliva of infected animals.
Humans may become infected by inhaling dust particles or contacting contaminated materials from rodents. The disease occurs worldwide across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. In some cases, infection can cause severe symptoms such as acute pneumonia, respiratory failure, or acute kidney failure, especially in those exposed to a high viral load or who seek medical care late. The fatality rate for severe forms can reach 30–40%.
The disease is common among those working or living in rodent-infested areas such as warehouses, barns, farms, abandoned houses, or damp storage spaces. Generally, hantavirus is not transmitted person-to-person, except for some strains in South America where close contact transmission has been reported.
In May 2026, an outbreak of Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, was reported on a cruise ship traveling from Argentina across the Atlantic Ocean. Several patients were infected, and deaths occurred. Notably, Andes virus is the only hantavirus proven to be transmissible between humans, especially through close contact.
1. HFRS — Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome: Common in Europe and Asia, characterized by fever, abnormal bleeding, low platelet count, and acute kidney failure.
2. HCPS — Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome: Common in the Americas, marked by fever, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and shock, with a higher fatality rate than HFRS.
Early symptoms
Subsequently, some cases may worsen
Severe symptoms usually develop within a few days after fever onset. Diagnosis requires confirmation through microbiological tests such as serology or RT-PCR.
The most important prevention is avoiding contact with rodents and contaminated materials.
1. Eliminate rodent food sources and habitats.
2. Seal entry points rodents can use to access homes or buildings.
3. Store food and garbage in tightly sealed containers.
4. Avoid dry sweeping in areas contaminated with rodent droppings to prevent aerosolizing the virus.
5. Spray or soak contaminated areas with 10% bleach solution or detergent before cleaning, and always wear masks and gloves.
6. Wash hands after contact with potentially contaminated areas.
Currently, no widely used vaccine for hantavirus prevention exists.
Regarding treatment, no specific antiviral drugs for hantavirus are available. Management focuses on supportive care and close monitoring for complications, including:
1. Administering fluids and managing blood pressure.
2. Providing oxygen or mechanical ventilation for patients with respiratory failure.
3. Dialysis for patients with acute kidney failure.
4. Hospital monitoring, especially for those with breathing difficulties or low blood pressure.
5. Prompt diagnosis and treatment significantly reduce severity and mortality rates.
Source: Internal Medicine Department, Nawavej Hospital