Tuesday, August 6, 2024
reading time: 2 minutes
Planning a trip to the United States this summer? A deadly rodent-borne disease with no known cure has killed several people across America, prompting health authorities to issue a health warning.
Healthcare professionals at Universal Drug Store have highlighted the causes of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and issued warnings to travelers about symptoms to watch for.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are viruses transmitted by rodents that can cause varying degrees of illness in humans. Each hantavirus is specific to a different rodent host. Humans become infected by inhaling the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. The Arizona Department of Health reports that from January to early July of this year, seven cases of hantavirus syndrome were confirmed in Arizona, three of which were fatal. Two cases have also been reported in Canada.
How does Hantavirus spread?
HPS can be contracted by inhaling, consuming, or coming into contact with the feces, urine, or saliva of mice and rats. This can happen by handling the animal itself or by touching something contaminated with its bodily fluids. The incubation period usually lasts two to four days but can range from two days to eight weeks.
Preventative measurements
Contact with rodents that carry HPS bacteria can be extremely dangerous. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling mice, their bedding, and their cages, and avoid wild mice and rats as well as any areas where they may leave their droppings. If you find droppings in your living area, wear rubber gloves and a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Avoid sweeping up droppings with a broom, as this can cause infected particles to become airborne.
Early symptoms of drug hypersensitivity syndrome resemble those of the flu, including a fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, chills, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a dry cough. This may be followed by the rapid onset of difficulty breathing.
“Human influenza syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms are similar to the flu, and there are no specific tests for human influenza syndrome,” said Dr. Jamie Wynn, PharmD, Universal Drugstore. “A history of rodent exposure accompanied by fever and fatigue is a strong indicator of infection.”
Symptoms to watch out for
“If you experience unexplained fever, body aches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, dry cough, or severe difficulty breathing, you should see your doctor immediately,” Dr. Wen advised. “This is especially important if you anticipate spending time in the southwestern United States and are exposed to large concentrations of rodents, their nesting material, and waste.”
Treatment options
Although there are no specific treatments for viral hypersensitivity syndrome, early detection and treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) can help the patient recover. ICU care includes intubation, oxygen therapy, fluid replacement, and medications to support blood pressure. In some cases, antiviral medications such as ribavirin are used, although their effectiveness has not been confirmed in large trials.
Recovery from HPS tends to be slow, with patients often reporting weakness, fatigue, and decreased ability to exercise.
