The Andes strain of Hantavirus has been confirmed in two individuals who travelled to South Africa, according to a statement from the country's health minister. This development has prompted international attention due to the severity of the virus and the potential for human-to-human transmission, a characteristic not commonly associated with other Hantavirus strains.
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by rodents that can cause varied disease syndromes in humans. The Andes strain, specifically, is known for causing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe and often fatal respiratory illness. Symptoms typically develop one to five weeks after exposure and can include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems, followed by a rapid onset of respiratory distress as the lungs fill with fluid.
Transmission to humans primarily occurs when people breathe in aerosolised virus particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. This can happen during activities that disturb rodent nests or contaminated areas, such as cleaning out sheds or barns. While most Hantavirus strains are not known to spread from person to person, the Andes strain is an exception, with documented cases of human-to-human transmission, though this remains rare.
In the UK, Hantavirus infections are extremely rare, with the vast majority of cases linked to travel to endemic regions. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA) has previously monitored cases, primarily related to travel to parts of Europe where different strains of Hantavirus (such as Puumala virus, causing Hantavirus Nephropathy) are present. The risk to the general UK population remains very low, as the specific rodent carriers of the Andes strain are not native to the UK.
There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for Hantavirus infection. Medical care focuses on supportive measures, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation, to help patients through the acute respiratory phase. Early diagnosis and intensive care are crucial for improving outcomes, though the mortality rate for HPS can be as high as 38%.
UK travellers to regions where Hantavirus is endemic, particularly parts of the Americas, are advised to take precautions to avoid contact with rodents and their excretions. This includes avoiding rodent-infested areas, sealing food in rodent-proof containers, and using protective measures like gloves and masks when cleaning areas potentially contaminated by rodents. Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with HPS after returning from such regions should seek urgent medical attention and inform their GP or NHS 111 about their travel history.
Source: South African Health Minister