The coronavirus pandemic scare continues as the number of cases increases with each coming day. While the world is battling with it, another disease namely Hantavirus originated from China has come to the light.
The Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), is the latest concern among netizens after a man who died in China was tested positive for Hantavirus.
Ever since the news came out, the netizens are trending #Hantavirus, with too many concerns running at the same time. They are collectively under the impression that it is a ‘brand-new’ virus originated in the South Asian country and set to become a pandemic, just like COVID-19.
The speculations concerning to the Hantavirus transmission soon took over social media. Some stressed that hantavirus is transmitted from human to human and with a possible outbreak, their quarantine period might be extended.
Here’s the truth behind the concerns raised
Unlike coronavirus, hantavirus is not airborne. HPS cannot be transmitted from human to human. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that a person could become infected with hantavirus through contact with rodent urine, saliva or faeces.
There is no proof that hantavirus can be transmitted from one person to another. CDS, in its report further highlighted that in Chile and Argentina, rare cases of person to person transmission have occurred among close contacts of a person who was ill with a type of hantavirus called Andes virus.
It is further important to note that pets like dogs and cats are not known to carry hantavirus.
Here’s the truth about quarantine needed for prevention
Since the Hantavirus is not airborne and does not have a history of transmitting from human to human, a quarantine will not be necessary. Scientists believe that people may contract the virus if they touch something that has been contaminated rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, and then touch their nose or mouth.
Final Verdict
The claim of hantavirus being similar to coronavirus is false but at the same time it’s deadly but there is no necessity to create panic within and among yourselves regarding hantavirus. It is advisable to eat clean, stay healthy, follow social distance and continue self-quarantining, as they are the only possible way to limit the COVID-19 spread.
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