Things to know about Hanta virus

The Hanta virus is also written as the Hantaan virus (genus Hantavirus, belonging to the Bunyaviridea family) that can infect humans worldwide but does not cause rodents. People become infected by inhaling airborne objects formed from waste or bites of infected rodents.

Epidemiological characteristics

Hanta virus (also known as Hantaan virus) was first discovered in the Hantaan river of Korea in 1978. At least 20 types of Hanta viruses were detected, each adapted to a species of rodent and distributed in Many places in the world.

In Vietnam, Hanta virus has been found in Rattus Norvegicus mice in some Northern provinces and 11 types of Vietnam have been registered at the International Gene Bank of which 10 types have genE structure belonging to Seoul region. In particular, a new virus has been detected in Cao Bang province and is named Vietnamese virus .

The Hanta virus is carried and spreads to humans through rodents, but this virus only affects humans who do not cause rodents. People infected with the virus by contact with rodent excretions, respiratory infections and excretions emitted by rats or rats, through damaged skin areas, eye mucosa, nose mouth, caused by water or food that has been infected with the Hanta virus earlier.

Hanta virus only causes disease in humans that does not cause rodents.

The disease is usually seen in adults, age group 20-50 years old. Rarely seen in children under 10 and the elderly. The incidence of men is higher than women . High-risk groups are people living in areas where there are many rats, who often walk in the forest, in the fields or like to go camping; people working in warehouses or in granary; Electrician, plumber . In addition, the foresters, laboratory professionals often exposed and used mice or rodents can also be infected with the virus. Hanta virus transmission rarely occurs from patients to the healthy person.

Symptoms of the disease

The hanta virus has an incubation period of about 2 to 4 weeks before symptoms of infection occur. Hanta virus causes two diseases with high mortality rate: Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HRS) and Hanta virus (HPS - Hantanvirus Pulmonary Syndrome).

1. Dengue syndrome with kidney failure (HFRS): Mainly found in countries in Asia, Central Europe and Scandinavia. This syndrome usually appears within 1-2 weeks after exposure. Symptoms include headache, back pain, stomach ache, fever, chills, and vomiting. There may be blushing, conjunctivitis, skin rash. The patient may then experience low blood pressure, shock (similar to dengue hemorrhagic fever) and develop acute renal failure. The death rate ranges from 1 to 15% and some cases recover completely after weeks to months.
2. Hanta Virus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Previously primarily seen in the United States, recently documented a number of cases in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. The incubation period after exposure lasts from 1 to 5 weeks, the early symptoms are fatigue, fever, muscle aches in the thighs, hips, back, shoulders. Other symptoms may include headache, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Respiratory symptoms appear about 4–10 days later with coughing, difficulty breathing. Dyspnea is progressive and can be very severe respiratory failure. This syndrome has a mortality rate of about 40-50%, those who are still alive, recover quickly, lung function returns to normal.

Laboratory diagnosis

Laboratory diagnosis includes several methods but it is difficult to detect Hanta virus: immunofluorescence antibody (IFA), enzyme immunity, red blood cell agglutination, Western Blot, RT-PCR.

Several measures to prevent Hanta virus

There is currently no preventive vaccine, the main way of preventing it is to control rodents . Avoid contact with rats and their waste.

1. People should use rubber boots when going to places where rats live, sleeping nets to avoid being bitten by rats. When in contact with rats, mouse traps or when cleaning areas where rats must wear a mask, wear gloves and wash their hands with soap after contact.
2. Clean and tidy the place of residence and workplace to reduce mouse growth and use antiseptic chemicals to clean the area where rats are located.
3. When feeding rodents (rats, bugs, squirrels, etc.) care must be taken to avoid urine, faeces contacting infected skin, eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Seek medical attention immediately for examination and treatment when abnormal symptoms after exposure to rats-related risk factors.