What is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a diverse family of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the family Hantaviridae. They are primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their excretions.
Global Distribution
Different hantavirus strains are distributed across all inhabited continents. The Americas are primarily affected by strains causing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), while Europe and Asia see strains responsible for Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).
Transmission
Primary transmission occurs through inhalation of aerosolized particles from infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Each rodent species typically carries a specific hantavirus strain, and the geographic distribution of these rodents determines regional risk profiles.