The hantavirus is typically a disease that rodents catch and it does not create problems within the rodent host. The virus can spread to humans if someone touches the bodily fluids of a rodent who has been infected. Although some of these viruses have not been associated with any known human diseases, there are others that can create potentially fatal consequences. Just recently, even human to human transmission of hantavirus has been reported.
Statistics on Hantavirus
1. Through December 31, 2013, a total of 637 cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have been reported in the United States.
2. Only 31 cases of Hantavirus have been reported in the United States prior to 1993.
3. Of persons ill with HPS, 63% have been male, with 37% female.
4. The mean age of confirmed case patients is 37 years, with the youngest known infected victim being just 6 years old and the oldest being 83 years of age.
5. 78% of those infected in the United States are Caucasian.
6. The percentage of Native Americans who make up US Hantavirus cases: 18%.
7. More than 95% of reported cases of Hantavirus have occurred in states west of the Mississippi River.
8. The state of California received reports of 16 cases of Hantavirus between 2001-2008. Out of those 16 reports, 4 of them people died.
9. The total number of Hantavirus cases in Texas in 2013: 1.
10. A total of 41 HPS cases have been confirmed in Texas since 1993, the first year it was reported. 14 of those cases resulted in death.
11. The outcome is fatal in up to 15% of HFRS cases and up to 50% of HPS cases.
12. About 32 people in the United States every year will catch Hantavirus, resulting in an incident rate of 1 in 8,242,424.
13. The number of states in the US that have never had a reported case of Hantavirus: 16.
14. The most common carrier of Hantavirus in the US is the deer mouse.
15. 15-20% of deer mice are infected with Hantavirus.
16. Infection rates are low with Hantavirus because the virus dies almost immediately when it is exposed to sunlight.
17. On the eastern side of the Mississippi River, the most Hantavirus cases reported in one state is 7, in Pennsylvania. No other state has more than 3.
18. A 2009 study by a Slovakian virologist found that higher temperatures in Western and Central Europe have been associated with more frequent Hantavirus outbreaks as vole populations increase.
19. 70% of the cases of Hantavirus in the United States have occurred in rural areas.
20. The CDC notes that men have a 1.5x higher risk of catching Hantavirus than women.
Where Does Hantavirus Come From?
The hantavirus is relatively new on the scene of medical issues that face humans. The first viruses were noticed during the Korean War when 3000 troops became ill with symptoms that included hemorrhaging and shock. The best way to prevent hantavirus from spreading is to control the rodent population that exists around the home. It is present in every corner of the populated world.
It can take up to 4 weeks for the incubation of the virus to take place. Once fully in effect, the type of virus that is in place will create specific problems. HFRS infections tend to affect the blood vessels, while HPS infections more commonly affect the lungs. Decreased blood pressure and damage to the organs is common in both infections. Late stage infections show the most severe symptoms and this is usually 4-10 days after the first symptoms of a hantavirus infection become evident.
There is no known antiviral treatment for hantavirus, but most people are able to naturally recover from an infection with supported treatments. As the statistics for this virus will show, it isn’t a very common virus, but it can do some damage. That’s why being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of hantavirus and to proactively prevent exposure is so important. It may be rare, but left untreated, it can be deadly.
The Effects of Hantavirus
Hantavirus might be rare, but the consequence of an infection can be deadly. That’s why it is so important to know this information.
In total, there have been 20 known hantavirus variations that have been recognized by researchers over the years. Only two serious diseases, however, are known to be caused by the virus. There is a hantavirus vaccine that is available, of which the Korean Army is the largest consumer in the world. Those vaccines for hantavirus are not approved for distribution in the United States and none of the vaccines that have been promoted by the World Health Organization have gained any widespread acceptance.
That means proactive prevention will always be the best course of action to take. Clean out rodent nests if you find them on your property. Avoid contact with areas where there may be bodily fluids from deer mice. Always wash your hands before touching your face and wear appropriate clothing that fits your environment. If you cannot avoid being in an environment where there is a possible exposure, then air-purifying respirators with N-100 filters are able to provide immediate short-term support.
For survivors, there is good news: there is no known re-infections of hantavirus. Once neutralizing antibodies have formed, even some forms of cross-protection against similar hantavirus strains has been noted. There’s also good news for children as it is incredibly rare for kids to develop the diseases that are associated with infection. It is believed that the reason for this is that children have less total lung exposure to the virus and in most cases, not enough of the virus can enter into the body to create a bothersome infection.
By knowing the statistics about hantavirus infections and how to prevent them, this disease doesn’t have to become something that changes a life. Take proactive measures to prevent an infection from occurring today using this information and the hantavirus can be one more worry that you can forget about.