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Rachel V Thomas

Hantavirus Claims 3 Lives In Venezuela: What The Rat-borne Virus Does To The Brain

Amid earthquake rescue efforts, Venezuela has reported an outbreak of rat-borne <span>hantavirus</span> that has claimed three lives so far, according to the country's health ministry.

Three people with confirmed hantavirus infection died in the eastern state of Anzoátegui. Two other deaths—both involving health professionals in the state of Barinas—are still under investigation and are not linked to the Anzoátegui cases, the ministry said. 

"We report the regrettable deaths of three patients in Anzoátegui with confirmed diagnoses of hantavirus," the ministry said in a statement. 

The ministry added that there is "no scientific evidence of person-to-person transmission in our country," noting that the virus is primarily spread by rodents in rural and agricultural areas. 

The fresh cases are reported barely two weeks after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/who-declares-luxury-cruise-ship-linked-hantavirus-outbreak-over-article-154893615" data-type="tilCustomLink">end of the hantavirus outbreak </a> linked to the <span>MV Hondius</span> luxury expedition ship, which infected 11 people and claimed three lives earlier this year. 

According to the WHO, hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans. In humans, the infection can cause severe illness and may be fatal, although symptoms vary depending on the virus strain and geographic region. 

The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, saliva, and, less commonly, through scratches or bites.

According to the CDC, symptoms can appear one to eight weeks after exposure, initially presenting fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. As the disease progresses, it can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as fluid accumulates in the lungs. 

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-hantavirus-spread-through-semen-and-breast-milk-what-experts-say-article-154331715" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Hantavirus Spread Through Semen And Breast Milk? What Experts Say</a> 

<h2>What The Virus Does To The Brain </h2>

A recent review published in JAMA Neurology highlights the often-overlooked neurologic complications of hantavirus infection. Hantaviruses cause two major clinical syndromes: 

<ul><li><span rel="noindex">Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome</span> (HPS), seen mainly in the Americas, primarily affects the lungs and cardiovascular system and has a mortality rate of 35% to 50%. Neurologic complications can include headache, delirium, seizures, and, in rare cases, brain hemorrhage or post-viral encephalitis. </li></ul><ul><li><span rel="noindex">Hemorrhagic Fever</span> with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which is endemic to Asia and Eastern Russia, presents with fever and kidney involvement and is more commonly associated with direct neurologic complications. </li></ul>

<h2>Headaches, Vision Problems, and Hormonal Disorders </h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/immunotherapy-shows-early-promise-against-severe-hantavirus-lung-disease-study-article-154459689" data-type="tilCustomLink">Immunotherapy Shows Early Promise Against Severe Hantavirus Lung Disease: Study</a>

Researchers from the US National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reviewed data from 811 patients infected with the <span>Puumala</span> strain of HFRS. 

They found that 97% experienced headaches, 40% reported blurred vision, and 31% experienced vomiting. About 1% developed severe complications such as meningitis or encephalitis, while rare cases involved peripheral neuropathy or stroke. 

Pituitary damage was identified as a significant complication of HFRS. It can lead to hormonal disorders weeks or even months after infection. These may include fatigue, adrenal insufficiency, diabetes insipidus, sexual dysfunction, amenorrhea, and symptoms of hypothyroidism. 

The studies also reported cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, sudden vision loss among hantavirus patients. 

India Should Focus On More Hantavirus Surveillance: Dr NK Ganguly On Hantavirus Outbreak

The long-term neurologic consequences of hantavirus remain poorly understood, according to Avindra Nath of the NIH. However, one study found that 20 years after Puumala infection, 78% of patients had persistent hypertension and 8% had chronic kidney disease. 

Currently, there are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral treatments or licensed vaccines for hantavirus infection, although several vaccine candidates are in preclinical trials. Several antiviral drugs—including favipiravir, molnupiravir, griffithsin, and ribavirin—have shown promise in early studies, but more research is needed, Nath said.

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Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

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Amid earthquake rescue efforts, Venezuela has reported an outbreak of rat-borne hantavirus that has claimed three lives so far, according to the country's health ministry. Three people with confirmed hantavirus infection died in the eastern state of Anzoátegui. Two other deaths—both involving health professionals in the state of Barinas—are still under investigation and are not linked to the Anzoátegui cases, the ministry said. "We report the regrettable deaths of three patients in Anzoátegui with confirmed diagnoses of hantavirus," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that there is "no scientific evidence of person-to-person transmission in our country," noting that the virus is primarily spread by rodents in rural and agricultural areas. The fresh cases are reported barely two weeks after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the hantavirus outbreak  linked to the MV Hondius luxury expedition ship, which infected 11 people and claimed three lives earlier this year. What Is Hantavirus? According to the WHO, hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans. In humans, the infection can cause severe illness and may be fatal, although symptoms vary depending on the virus strain and geographic region. The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, saliva, and, less commonly, through scratches or bites.According to the CDC, symptoms can appear one to eight weeks after exposure, initially presenting fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. As the disease progresses, it can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as fluid accumulates in the lungs. Also read: Can Hantavirus Spread Through Semen And Breast Milk? What Experts Say What The Virus Does To The Brain A recent review published in JAMA Neurology highlights the often-overlooked neurologic complications of hantavirus infection. Hantaviruses cause two major clinical syndromes: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), seen mainly in the Americas, primarily affects the lungs and cardiovascular system and has a mortality rate of 35% to 50%. Neurologic complications can include headache, delirium, seizures, and, in rare cases, brain hemorrhage or post-viral encephalitis. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which is endemic to Asia and Eastern Russia, presents with fever and kidney involvement and is more commonly associated with direct neurologic complications. Headaches, Vision Problems, and Hormonal Disorders Read More: Immunotherapy Shows Early Promise Against Severe Hantavirus Lung Disease: StudyResearchers from the US National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reviewed data from 811 patients infected with the Puumala strain of HFRS. They found that 97% experienced headaches, 40% reported blurred vision, and 31% experienced vomiting. About 1% developed severe complications such as meningitis or encephalitis, while rare cases involved peripheral neuropathy or stroke. Pituitary damage was identified as a significant complication of HFRS. It can lead to hormonal disorders weeks or even months after infection. These may include fatigue, adrenal insufficiency, diabetes insipidus, sexual dysfunction, amenorrhea, and symptoms of hypothyroidism. The studies also reported cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, sudden vision loss among hantavirus patients. Long-Term Effects and Treatment   The long-term neurologic consequences of hantavirus remain poorly understood, according to Avindra Nath of the NIH. However, one study found that 20 years after Puumala infection, 78% of patients had persistent hypertension and 8% had chronic kidney disease. Currently, there are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral treatments or licensed vaccines for hantavirus infection, although several vaccine candidates are in preclinical trials. Several antiviral drugs—including favipiravir, molnupiravir, griffithsin, and ribavirin—have shown promise in early studies, but more research is needed, Nath said.

hantavirus claims 3 lives in venezuela: what the rat-borne virus does to the brain

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Hantavirus Claims 3 Lives In Venezuela: What The Rat-borne Virus Does To The Brain

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Health Conditions A-Z

Meet Paul Alexander: Longest-Known Polio Survivor Who Lived In An Iron Lung For 70 Years

Hantavirus Claims 3 Lives In Venezuela: What The Rat-borne Virus Does To The Brain

Nearly All Countries Overuse Antibiotics; 60% Still Use WHO-Discouraged Drugs: The Lancet