Hantavirus: - First Nations Telehealth

What is Hantavirus ?• Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that are carriedby rodents and spread to humans by breathing in thevirus.• Hantavirus is found throughout the Americas (North,South and Central).• It is not a new virus, it was discovered in 1993, buthas probably been around for many years before this.• Because it is a virus, antibiotics cannot prevent ortreat the disease.Hantavirus: What You Need to KnowEPHS, FNIH Alberta RegionWhat is Hantavirus ?• If a person becomes infected by Hantavirus, the disease iscalled Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).• The disease affects the lungs and ability to breath. It is fatalin approximately 30% of people who develop HPS.• Not all people exposed to Hantavirus will develop HPS.• There is currently no screening method to determine who is atgreater risk of contracting the disease.• There is currently is no approved vaccine in North America.• The disease is not spread from person to person.Hantavirus: What You Need to KnowEPHS, FNIH Alberta RegionWhat is Hantavirus?Reservoir• Major reservoir in North America forSin Nombre Virus (SNV) is Deer Mice(Peromyscus maniculatus).• Hantaviruses have also been found inother wild rodents.Transmission• Transmitted among mice and otherrodents by physical contact.• Transmitted to humans through theinhalation of aerosolized rodentexcreta (urine, faeces and saliva).Incubation Period• Usually two weeks with a range of afew days to 6 weeks. (American Public Health Association, 2004)Hantavirus: What You Need to KnowEPHS, FNIH Alberta Region