Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Hantavirus Can Linger Indoors, Spread Through Contaminated Dust, Says Infectious Disease Expert

Hantavirus has the potential to linger indoors and spread through contaminated dust, especially in rodent-infested, poorly ventilated spaces, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Vasant C. Nagvekar.

So far, 11 people linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship have been affected. While all passengers have been repatriated and quarantined, the World Health Organization (WHO) anticipates that additional cases may emerge based on observed symptoms.

In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr. Vasant, a Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine at Lilavati Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, explained how the virus can spread even within indoor environments. He noted that contaminated dust and surfaces are potential sources of transmission, making proper hygiene and preventive measures crucial.

The expert also stated that the Andes strain rarely transmits person-to-person and emphasized the need for global prevention through enhanced surveillance, early detection, vector control, environmental sanitation, and public awareness, particularly amid urbanization, climate change, and ecosystem disruption.

Here are the excerpts from the interview

Q. How Long Does Hantavirus Survive?

Dr. Vasant: Hantavirus does not survive for long outside a host body and is rapidly inactivated by exposure to sunlight, detergents, and drying.

However, in enclosed indoor environments that are cool with temperatures at 4 degrees Celsius or less, poorly ventilated, and contaminated with rodent urine or feces, the virus may remain infectious for several hours or even longer. 

Q. Is Hantavirus Airborne?

Dr. Vasant: Yes, the virus can be transmitted indirectly through the air. However, hantavirus does not circulate freely in the air in the same way as influenza or coronavirus during normal social interactions.

It becomes airborne when contaminated rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials are disturbed during activities such as sweeping or cleaning. At that point, the virus can be aerosolized and inhaled by people. 

Q. How Can Hantavirus Spread Indoors?

Dr. Vasant: Indoor exposure usually takes place in environments where the presence of goes unnoticed – for example, in cabins, storage rooms, warehouses, inside false ceilings, or vacant rooms.

One could be exposed to hantavirus through inhalation of contaminated dust when a room that has not been used for a while is opened or is cleaned without any protective measures. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/fact-check-can-ivermectin-help-treat-hantavirus-article-154297881" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fact Check: Can Ivermectin Help Treat Hantavirus?</a>

The reason why hantavirus exposure is alarming is that it usually takes place during normal activities, which we do without even suspecting anything dangerous. 

Q. How Does the Andes Strain of Hantavirus Spread?

Dr. Vasant: The Andes hantavirus stands out because, unlike most other hantaviruses, it exhibits evidence of rare person-to-person transmission, mostly through direct and extended contact between people. As a result, this particular strain is highly interesting for scientists studying infectious diseases around the world and is extensively researched as such. It should be noted, however, that person-to-person transmission is very rare in comparison to respiratory pathogens, such as the influenza virus or SARS-CoV-2.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/why-the-norovirus-outbreak-on-a-caribbean-cruise-ship-is-not-a-cause-for-panic-article-154293052" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why The Norovirus Outbreak On A Caribbean Cruise Ship Is Not A Cause for Panic</a>

Q. What global strategies are needed to prevent the emergence of new viruses?

Dr. Vasant: What is required from our world in terms of the prevention of new viruses is a globally integrated strategy within the public health sector.

Surveillance systems should become more advanced on community levels, especially when there are high risks of increased contact between humans and animals because of urbanization, climate change, and ecosystem destruction. 

Hantavirus Alert: Expert Explains How It May Affect Your Body #hantavirus

Early detection, information exchange at the international level, vector control, environmental sanitation, and public awareness are just as significant. New infection strains cannot remain limited to just being a problem of individual countries. 

Health Conditions A-Z

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mv hondius

Hantavirus

Hantavirus Airborne

Hantavirus Spread Indoors

andes

Hantavirus outbreak

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Hantavirus has the potential to linger indoors and spread through contaminated dust, especially in rodent-infested, poorly ventilated spaces, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Vasant C. Nagvekar.So far, 11 people linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship have been affected. While all passengers have been repatriated and quarantined, the World Health Organization (WHO) anticipates that additional cases may emerge based on observed symptoms.In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr. Vasant, a Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine at Lilavati Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, explained how the virus can spread even within indoor environments. He noted that contaminated dust and surfaces are potential sources of transmission, making proper hygiene and preventive measures crucial.The expert also stated that the Andes strain rarely transmits person-to-person and emphasized the need for global prevention through enhanced surveillance, early detection, vector control, environmental sanitation, and public awareness, particularly amid urbanization, climate change, and ecosystem disruption.Here are the excerpts from the interview Q. How Long Does Hantavirus Survive? Dr. Vasant: Hantavirus does not survive for long outside a host body and is rapidly inactivated by exposure to sunlight, detergents, and drying. However, in enclosed indoor environments that are cool with temperatures at 4 degrees Celsius or less, poorly ventilated, and contaminated with rodent urine or feces, the virus may remain infectious for several hours or even longer. Q. Is Hantavirus Airborne? Dr. Vasant: Yes, the virus can be transmitted indirectly through the air. However, hantavirus does not circulate freely in the air in the same way as influenza or coronavirus during normal social interactions. It becomes airborne when contaminated rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials are disturbed during activities such as sweeping or cleaning. At that point, the virus can be aerosolized and inhaled by people. Q. How Can Hantavirus Spread Indoors? Dr. Vasant: Indoor exposure usually takes place in environments where the presence of goes unnoticed – for example, in cabins, storage rooms, warehouses, inside false ceilings, or vacant rooms. One could be exposed to hantavirus through inhalation of contaminated dust when a room that has not been used for a while is opened or is cleaned without any protective measures. Also read: Fact Check: Can Ivermectin Help Treat Hantavirus?The reason why hantavirus exposure is alarming is that it usually takes place during normal activities, which we do without even suspecting anything dangerous. Q. How Does the Andes Strain of Hantavirus Spread? Dr. Vasant: The Andes hantavirus stands out because, unlike most other hantaviruses, it exhibits evidence of rare person-to-person transmission, mostly through direct and extended contact between people. As a result, this particular strain is highly interesting for scientists studying infectious diseases around the world and is extensively researched as such. It should be noted, however, that person-to-person transmission is very rare in comparison to respiratory pathogens, such as the influenza virus or SARS-CoV-2. Read More: Why The Norovirus Outbreak On A Caribbean Cruise Ship Is Not A Cause for PanicQ. What global strategies are needed to prevent the emergence of new viruses?Dr. Vasant: What is required from our world in terms of the prevention of new viruses is a globally integrated strategy within the public health sector. Surveillance systems should become more advanced on community levels, especially when there are high risks of increased contact between humans and animals because of urbanization, climate change, and ecosystem destruction.    Early detection, information exchange at the international level, vector control, environmental sanitation, and public awareness are just as significant. New infection strains cannot remain limited to just being a problem of individual countries. 