I wrote about some of the dangers of rat invasion in my last post, this time around I will be sharing specifically about the Hantavirus.
Rats getting into our home could be highly disturbing, and having them destroy our properties could even be more frustrating, but there is something worse that rodent invasion could do to humans than the annoyance it brings. An example is the Hantavirus.
Hantavirus belongs to a family of viruses that are mainly spread by rodents and could create different disease syndromes worldwide. Any form of infection with hantavirus would produce hantavirus disease in people as well.
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Hantavirus has two serotypes, with each of them having a specific rodent host spread to people through aerosolized virus that is shed in feces, urine, and saliva. On rare occasions, it could also be spread through a bite from an infected host.
- New world hantavirus which may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
- Old world hantavirus which may cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is not a very common disease, it is actually a rare one. It often begins with a flu-like symptom and then it moves fast into a very serious disease, which could also progress into a lung and heart issue.
The cases of human hantavirus happen more in rural areas, where files, and farms particularly convenient for rodents are found. There are several ways rodents could spread Hantavirus to humans;
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Humans can get the virus if they come in contact with something that has previously been contaminated with droppings, urine, or saliva of rodents, and then touch their nose or mouth with the same hand without proper cleaning.
A rodent carrying the virus bites someone, and then the virus could spread through the means of transmission, which is a rare one by the way.
When a person eats food contaminated by the urine, saliva, or droppings of an infected rodent.
There are activities that could trigger the chances of getting a hantavirus even more;
When your home is a potential shelter for rodents, especially when the weather gets cold.
Pest control workers, alongside utility and construction also have a high chance of being exposed, especially while working in buildings with a high population of rodents.
Opening and cleaning of garages, storage facilities, and other centers that serve as a potential for hantavirus infections, especially in rural regions.
It is however believed that the hantavirus that causes human illness in the United States cannot be transmitted from one person to another. What this means is that the virus cannot be spread through kissing or touching.
Rodent ingestion in the home is a primary risk to hantavirus exposure, anyone who has contact with rodents that carry hantavirus, there is a strong risk of getting HPS
It often takes about 2-3 weeks from the start of the infection until the start of the illness. It advances through two different states with symptoms like; Headache, fever and chills, and muscle pain. Other symptoms like Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
As the disease continues to get worse, it results in damaged lung tissues, build-up of fluid in the lungs, and issues with the functional ability of the heart and the lungs. At this point, symptom like; breathing difficulty, cough, irregular heart rate, and low blood pressure is often the case here.
This disease could quickly become a life-threatening one as time goes by. So looking for ways to prevent the penetration of the disease is a great deal in the first place. Try out these tips which could help out a lot;
Block access to the penetration of rodents into your home, and workplace.
Wash dishes appropriately, and store your food well too.
Set traps to catch rats that find their way into your home.
Try to put on a mask and gloves while cleaning up.
Clean spots with disinfectants.
Wash your hands appropriately with soap and water.