A rare viral disease transmitted by rodents, primarily deer mice, which can lead to severe respiratory distress and, in some cases, death.
Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, tragically succumbed to hantavirus in 1993, highlighting the virus's unexpected and fatal nature.
The virus spreads through contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, often inhaled in dust particles when cleaning areas contaminated by rodents.
Initial symptoms resemble the flu—fever, fatigue, and muscle aches—before progressing to severe respiratory issues, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Hantavirus can be difficult to diagnose early, as symptoms often mimic common illnesses, which delays treatment and worsens prognosis.
Proper sanitation and rodent control measures are key to preventing hantavirus infection, especially in rural or wooded areas where deer mice are common.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, but early intervention and supportive care (including oxygen therapy) can improve survival chances.
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