Facts About Hantavirus Starting from Understanding - Symptoms of Transmission, Not as Dangerous as the Corona Covid-19 Virus

Kapanlagi.com - The corona virus covid-19 outbreak has not completely subsided, and the world is again shocked by the emergence of a new virus. This virus is called hantavirus or Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) for short.

Just like the corona virus, hantavirus is a virus that attacks the respiratory system severely and can lead to death. The first case of hantavirus was also found in China. In fact, on Monday (23/3/2020), a man in the Yunnan Province of China died suspected of being infected with this virus.

You don't need to panic because some experts say that this virus cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Therefore, the possibility of this virus spreading worldwide like the corona virus is small. However, it doesn't hurt to equip yourself with basic knowledge about this hanta virus.

Here are some facts you need to know about hantavirus.

1. Hantavirus Carried by Rats

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If bats or pangolins have been mentioned as carriers of the coronavirus, hantavirus is suspected to be carried by rodents such as rats.

According to liputan6.com, a journal from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) of the United States, there are 21 rat species that are potential carriers of this virus. Most of them are small-sized rats.

2. Not a New Virus

Hantavirus is not actually new in the medical world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantavirus was previously discovered in 1950. In addition, this virus also appeared in 1981 during the outbreak of the war on the Korean Peninsula.

3. Transmission to Humans

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Although carried by animals that are not pets, there is still a risk of humans being infected with this virus from rats. Especially if the person has direct contact with rats, such as through bites.

In addition, hantavirus can also be transmitted by rats through rat urine and droppings. Humans are also at risk of hantavirus infection if they touch an object that has been contaminated with the urine of a hantavirus-carrying rat. Therefore, it is still important to maintain cleanliness to avoid this virus.

So far, most experts say that hantavirus will not transmit from human to human. So it is best not to panic or worry too much. As long as you keep a distance from animals, especially rats, you will be safe from this virus.

However, it is still unknown whether hantavirus can be transmitted from rats to pets such as cats or dogs. But it is better to remain cautious and maintain a distance, even with beloved pets.

4. How to Prevent Hantavirus Infection

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Just like the coronavirus COVID-19, hantavirus can also infect anyone without exception. Therefore, it is important to know preventive measures to avoid contracting this virus.

Some ways to prevent hantavirus infection include:

a. Always wash your hands

b. Clean objects that may be exposed to rat urine and droppings

c. Minimize direct contact with animals, especially rodents like rats.

5. Symptoms of Hantavirus Infection

If the symptoms of a person infected with the coronavirus COVID-19 are characterized by symptoms similar to the common cold, it is different with hantavirus. People infected with hantavirus will experience fatigue, followed by fever and pain in the joints and muscles.

In addition, patients with this virus can also experience other symptoms such as chills, dizziness, and digestive disorders like diarrhea. In the following days as the virus attack worsens, patients will experience shortness of breath accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, and rash.

If the incubation period of the coronavirus lasts for 2 weeks, the incubation period of hantavirus can last up to 8 weeks. This means that these symptoms can appear over a relatively long period of time.

6. Medical Actions for Hantavirus Patients

So far, a vaccine for hantavirus has not been found. However, the death rate for this virus is relatively low, at only 3.8 percent. Therefore, the chances of recovery for hantavirus patients are greater.

So, if you experience the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to immediately go to the hospital to receive medical treatment.

Those are some facts related to hantavirus, which, when compared, is actually not as dangerous as the corona virus. So, there is no need to worry and panic. Keep practicing good hygiene and consume nutritious food to stay healthy.

(kpl/psp/gen)