How concerned should we be about the hantavirus outbreak?

Reading time: ~12 minutes | Category: Health & Prevention

Lately, the term “hantavirus” has been appearing more and more frequently in the news and on social media. People are asking: Is it dangerous? Is it as contagious as COVID-19? Should we panic? The answer is neither “yes, get ready for the apocalypse” nor “don’t worry at all.” The truth is more nuanced—and that’s exactly why it’s important to know it.

What is a hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by rodents—mice, rats, and squirrels. It was first discovered in Korea in the early 1950s, when American soldiers fell ill en masse near the Hantang River—hence its name.

There are two main syndromes associated with hantavirus:

• Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)—found primarily in Europe and Asia. It affects the kidneys and can cause a serious, though rarely fatal, illness.
• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) — typical of North and South America. It is rarer but significantly more deadly—the mortality rate reaches 30–40%.

In Bulgaria and most of Europe, HPS is predominant, transmitted mainly by the yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the common field mouse.

How Do You Get Infected? Causes and Risk Factors

Here is one of the most important things you need to know: the hantavirus is NOT transmitted from person to person (with the exception of one rare strain—the Andes virus in South America). This makes it fundamentally different from the flu or COVID-19.

The virus is transmitted through:

• Inhalation of contaminated aerosols—when you clean abandoned buildings, barns, or warehouses, you inhale dust containing dried urine, feces, or saliva from an infected mouse. This is the most common route of infection.
• Direct contact — touching an infected rodent or being bitten by one.
• Ingestion — consuming food or water contaminated with rodent excrement.

Who is at higher risk?

• People working in agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry
• Hikers and scouts who sleep outdoors or in unprotected shelters
• People cleaning abandoned buildings, basements, or attics
• Hunters and anglers spending extended periods in the wilderness
• Military personnel and rescue workers operating in field conditions

Important: Living in the city without direct contact with rodents carries an extremely low risk.

Symptoms—how to recognize the disease?

The incubation period is between 1 and 8 weeks (usually 2–4 weeks) after exposure to the virus. The symptoms of HBTF (the European form) progress through several phases:

Phase 1 — Acute onset (days 1–5)

• Sudden high fever (38–40°C)
• Severe headache and lower back pain
• Muscle aches and general weakness
• Flushing of the face, neck, and chest
• Occasionally—nausea and vomiting

Phase 2 — Kidney involvement (days 5–11)

• Decreased urine output or complete absence of urine
• Swelling around the eyes
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal laboratory test results for kidney function

Phase 3 — Recovery

With timely treatment, most patients make a full recovery within 2–6 weeks. The mortality rate for the European form is relatively low—less than 1%.

Warning: The symptoms are easily confused with the flu. If you have had contact with rodents or spent time in nature and develop these symptoms, be sure to notify your doctor.

How contagious is the hantavirus?

To put it simply—it is not contagious between people. Unlike the flu, measles, or COVID-19, you cannot catch hantavirus from a sick neighbor on the subway, from a cough, or from a handshake.

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that cases of human-to-human transmission have only been reported for the Andes virus strain in Argentina and Chile—and even then, only through very close contact. All other known strains are transmitted exclusively by rodents.

This is a key distinction to keep in mind when assessing the risk: Hantavirus cannot cause a pandemic like COVID-19. It is an endemic problem in specific regions and populations.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis is made through a blood test for antibodies against hantavirus. Since the symptoms resemble those of many other diseases, it is important to tell your doctor about any possible contact with rodents.

Currently , there is no approved antiviral therapy specific to hantavirus. Treatment is supportive:

• Hospitalization for more severe cases
• Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance
• If necessary—dialysis to support kidney function
• Monitoring of vital signs

Ribavirin (an antiviral drug) shows some effectiveness when administered early, but it is not standard therapy everywhere.

How can you protect yourself? Practical advice

The good news is that prevention is relatively simple:

• When cleaning storage areas, basements, and attics — wear a mask (at least FFP2/N95) and gloves. Don’t sweep—wet the surfaces with a disinfectant solution (bleach + water 1:10) and wipe them down.
• Outdoors—don’t sleep directly on the ground. Use sleeping bags on a groundsheet. Do not leave food out in the open.
• At home — seal any holes or cracks through which mice can enter. Store food in airtight containers.
• Do not touch dead rodents with your bare hands—use gloves and dispose of them in tightly sealed bags.

Vaccine — Is There One?

In China and South Korea, there are hantavirus vaccines approved for local use. In Europe and Bulgaria, a vaccine is not yet available to the general public. Research is ongoing, and international pharmaceutical companies are working on developing a universal vaccine.

Should we panic?

Short answer: no. But it’s important to stay informed and be cautious.

Hantavirus is a serious disease that has existed for decades. Cases in Europe periodically increase in years with larger rodent populations—usually after a mild winter or a fruit-rich fall. This is a natural cycle, not a sign of a new pandemic.

Understanding the actual risk is more valuable than panic. If you work or spend time in nature—be careful, follow preventive measures, and consult a doctor if you have suspicious symptoms. If you live in the city and have no contact with rodents—the risk to you is minimal.

Important: This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any health concerns, always consult a doctor.