The hantavirus virus issued the global trend of the most searched topics on Google, and the most frequently discussed topics on social networking sites, after media reports circulated about the death of a man in China who had the virus transmitted through a mouse, and the importance of the topic came in light of what the world is currently witnessing An outbreak of the Corona virus epidemic.
According to the World Health Organization, the Hanta virus is an animal viral respiratory disease, and the organization's website published, earlier, a number of facts about the virus, the most important of which was that infection with Hanta virus syndrome is mainly acquired through inhalation of droplets, or contact with the droppings of infected rodents. , Droppings, or saliva.
The organization pointed out that usually cases of human infection with Hanta virus in rural areas (such as: forests, fields, farms), where there may be forest rodents that support the virus, and where people may be exposed to the virus.
The organization pointed out that the symptoms of this disease include headache, dizziness, fever accompanied by tremors, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, followed by sudden injury of shortness of breath and low blood pressure, and symptoms of the syndrome usually appear within two weeks Up to four weeks, after initial exposure to the virus, but symptoms may appear early after only one week or be delayed until eight weeks after exposure to the virus, and the case fatality rate can reach 35-50%.
The organization revealed that the incidence of this syndrome has been reported in several countries in the Americas, and environmental and ecological factors that affect rodent flocks may have a seasonal effect on disease trends, as the Hanta virus reservoir is represented by forest rodents, mainly the type of cotton rat, and disease transmission may occur. When people come into contact with rodent habitats.
She noted that a limited transmission of the syndrome between humans, as a result of infection with the Andean virus, has been documented in Argentina, and there is no specific evidence-based procedure for isolating patients with this syndrome. Precautions and rodent control measures should always be taken.
The World Health Organization has published a number of advice on containing the Hanta virus, and emphasized that preventive measures should include occupational hazards and risks associated with environmental tourism, and regular tourism activities pose a limited or zero risk of travelers being exposed to rodents or their droppings.
She added that those engaging in outdoor activities outside the country, such as camping or hiking, should take precautions to reduce exposure to potential infectious substances, and surveillance for Hanta's pulmonary syndrome should be part of the nationwide comprehensive surveillance system.
She pointed out that Member States should continue efforts to detect, investigate and report cases, and provide them with treatment, in order to prevent and control infection caused by Hanta virus, and special attention should be paid to travelers returning from affected areas.
The organization called for health awareness campaigns to increase rates of detection and treatment of disease in a timely manner, and to prevent the occurrence of the disease by reducing people's exposure to the virus.
- Infection with Hanta virus syndrome is mainly obtained through inhalation of droplets, contact with droppings of infected rodents, droppings or saliva.