Hantavirus is found in wild rodentslike rats and mice. There are more than 50 identified strains of this disease in the world, each associated with a specific species of rodent.
“In Latin America, The most well-known and dangerous strain is the Andespredominant in Argentina and Chile, which has the exceptional peculiarity of being the only one in the world capable of being transmitted from person to person,” explains Nancy Sandoval, internist and infectologist.
Hantavirus can spread in any space where there are infected rodents.and Anyone is susceptible to contracting it.. However, farmers, peasants and rural workers who handle crops, stables, granaries or warehouses are at greater risk.
Hikers and ecotourists who camp or sleep in cabins in rural or mountain areas are also exposed; cleaning staff of abandoned houses or warehouses where there is a rodent infestation, and people who live in rural or peri-urban areas with a high density of these animals.
Sandoval explains that, according to its transmission mechanismhantaviruses are classified into two large groups: exclusive transmission from rodent to human and transmission from person to person.
- Exclusive transmission from rodent to human
It corresponds to most strains in the world, including those that cause pulmonary syndrome in the US (Unnamed) and those that cause kidney disease in Europe and Asia. A person sick with these strains does not infect others.
- Person-to-person transmission
This is exclusive to the Andes strain in South America. It has been scientifically documented since the late 90s and forced additional isolation measures to be taken in infected patients.
“This classification is important for us to keep in mind in an outbreak, because determines if the risk is limited to those who had contact with rodents or if it can extend to contacts of the sick”adds Sandoval.
According to the infectious disease specialist, There are common contagion scenarios in everyday situations that many people do not identify as risk, but that they should take into account if there are rodents nearby.:
- Unprotected cleaning of a country house, cellar, warehouse, barn or farm where there is droppings, mouse nests or caves
- Open a closed cabin that has been abandoned for months, since sweeping or shaking raises particles into the air; Therefore, water must be sprayed first
- Camping in rural areas where rodents enter tents in search of food
- Handling stored food contaminated by infected rodents
- Working in crop fields, especially during harvest, when rodents are displaced from their burrows
“The danger is not seeing a rat or a mouse; The danger is breathing air from a space contaminated by excreta from an infected rodent, even if the rodent is no longer there.”Sandoval highlights.