09/05/2026
Hantavirus is a rare but serious viral infection spread mainly by rodents such as rats and mice. Humans usually get infected when they breathe in tiny particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva that have dried into the air.
How people get it
Common ways include:
Sweeping or cleaning places with rat droppings without protection
Living in or visiting rodent-infested areas
Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth or nose
Rarely through rodent bites
It does not usually spread from person to person in most forms of the disease.
Symptoms
Early symptoms can look like malaria or flu:
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Tiredness
Nausea or vomiting
More serious symptoms may develop later:
Difficulty breathing
Chest tightness
Cough
Low blood pressure
Kidney problems
There are two major syndromes:
1. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) – mainly affects the lungs and can become life-threatening quickly.
2. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) – affects the kidneys more commonly.
Is it common in Nigeria?
Nigeria has far more cases of diseases like malaria and Lassa fever than confirmed hantavirus infections. Hantavirus is considered rare in West Africa, but rodent control is still important because rodents can spread multiple diseases.
Prevention
Keep homes free of rats and mice
Store food properly
Wear gloves and masks when cleaning rodent droppings
Do not sweep dry droppings directly — spray disinfectant first
Seal holes where rodents enter homes
Treatment
There is no specific cure for most hantavirus infections, but early hospital care greatly improves survival. Treatment focuses on:
Oxygen support
Fluids
Monitoring breathing and kidneys
If someone has severe fever plus breathing difficulty after rodent exposure, they should seek urgent medical attention.
