Understanding Hantavirus

What is Hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied disease syndromes in people worldwide.

How it spreads

Infection with any hantavirus can produce hantavirus disease in people. Hantaviruses in the Americas are known as “New World” hantaviruses and may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Other hantaviruses, known as “Old World” hantaviruses, are found mostly in Europe and Asia and may cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

Transmission

Each hantavirus serotype has a specific rodent host species and is transmitted to people via aerosolized virus that is shed in urine, feces, and saliva, and less frequently by a bite from an infected host.