Can Hantavirus spread from person to person?

The short answer is no, usually not. When people hear about Hantavirus, the mind often jumps to the high-stakes transmission we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Hantavirus operates on a very different "playing field."

For the vast majority of cases across the globe-especially those involving the strains found in North America like the Sin Nombre virus-there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission. You cannot catch Hantavirus by shaking hands with an infected person, sitting next to them on a bus, or even through a cough or sneeze in a clinical setting.

How Humans Actually Get Hantavirus

Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it jumps from animals to humans. Specifically, it is carried by certain species of rodents, such as deer mice, cotton rats, and rice rats.

Humans become "accidental hosts" when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus. This process is known as aerosolization. It typically happens when fresh rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials are stirred up-like when you’re cleaning out an old shed, attic, or crawl space that hasn't been used in a while.

The Rare Exception: The Andes Virus

While the "no person-to-person" rule holds true for almost every strain, there is one notable outlier: the Andes virus found in South America (specifically parts of Argentina and Chile).

In a few rare outbreaks involving the Andes strain, researchers documented limited person-to-person transmission among close family members or healthcare workers who had prolonged, intimate contact with an infected patient. This is a scientific anomaly rather than the norm, and it has never been observed with the Hantavirus strains native to the United States or Canada.

Why Is It So Dangerous?

Even though it doesn’t spread like the flu, Hantavirus is taken very seriously because of its high mortality rate. It primarily manifests in two ways depending on the strain:

1. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Common in the Americas, this causes the lungs to fill with fluid, leading to severe respiratory failure.

2. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS): More common in Europe and Asia, this primarily affects the kidneys.

Because early symptoms-fever, muscle aches, and fatigue-look exactly like a common cold or the flu, people often wait too long to seek medical help.

How to Protect Yourself

Since you aren't likely to catch it from your neighbor, your focus should be on rodent control. If you are cleaning an area where mice have been present, follow these safety steps:

• Ventilate: Open doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before working.

• Don't Sweep: Never use a broom or vacuum on dry droppings; this kicks the virus into the air.

• Wet Mop: Spray the area with a mixture of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and let it soak for five minutes before wiping it up with paper towels.

• Gear Up: Wear gloves and, if the infestation is heavy, a high-efficiency particulate respiration mask (N95).

Summary Table: Risk Comparison

Also read: How did the former cruise passenger in Switzerland test positive for the Andes Hantavirus, and what is his condition?