As if the world is not suffering enough, the earth is introduced to yet another new and more deadly virus called Hanta. Reports have it that the Hantavirus in China has killed a man within hours of its discovery. Where in the world do these viruses get their brand names rapidly? There are conspiracy theories blaming China for this, as the US President repeatedly referred to it as a Chinese virus.
The man died yesterday on 23rd Monday, March 2020, as China was almost at the dawn of celebrating their victory over COVID-19. Though reports show China was not honest about their Coronavirus death rates, their COVID-19 infection or death cases indeed ceased to increase.
Now, a Chinese man tests positive for the Hantavirus and dies a few hours later. As the epidemic of coronavirus rocks the planet, many other complications also raise their gruesome heads. In India and other nations, there are records reporting cases of swine and bird flu.
The Hantavirus that kills in hours seems to be more lethal than COVID-19. The man who died came from the province of Yunnan. While going to work on a chartered bus moving to Shandong Province, the Hantavirus killed the man, hours after he had tested positive.
The doctors also tested the remaining 32 bus passengers for the infection. More worryingly, the world is anticipating the results. The death announcement made its way on the social network, and now the public is panic-stricken.
What to know about the latest Hantavirus in China.
It is essential to know what the Hantavirus is all about. Hantavirus is in a family of viruses that spread mostly through rodents and can lead to various diseases in humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can spread to those who come into contact with it. It induces Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Renal Hemorrhagic Fever (RHS), also known as Renal Syndrome(HFRS). The disease is not airborne. It will only spread to humans if they come into contact with urine, feces, rat saliva, and a bite from an infected host, which is less frequent.
The primary source of the hantavirus infection is a Rodent infestation in and around the house. Also, healthy individuals become vulnerable to HPS if exposed to the virus. The alleviation remains, this disease does not spread from man to man. Although the infection is fatal to a human, he or she may become contaminated if, after handling rodent droppings, feces, or nesting materials, they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth as defined in the fact sheet of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similar to COVID-19, it also spreads when some touch their soft-tissue body parts with infected hands.
Early signs of hantavirus include fever, headache, stomach discomfort, muscle pains, the weariness of the body, dizziness, and chills. l If left untreated, cough, and it may result in shortness of breath and coughing, which may be lethal. According to the CDC, this can occur at a 38% mortality rate.
Although HFRS signs stay the same, low blood pressure, acute pain, artery bleeding, and severe kidney failure can also occur. According to the CDC, the key method for combating Hantavirus infections is if the rodent species population is controlled.
