Hantavirus is a deadly viral disease transmitted to humans from rats and other rodents. It mainly affects the lungs. The main conditions for the disease to spread are:
Contact with rats: The virus spreads to humans through direct contact with the droppings, urine, and saliva of rats carrying the hantavirus. The increased presence of rats in homes or surroundings increases the risk.
Aerosolization: Dust particles mixed with dried rat droppings or urine are mixed with the air when swept or otherwise, and the virus enters the body by inhaling it. This is the most common way for hantavirus to spread.
Contaminated food: The disease can be contracted by eating food that has been bitten by rats or is contaminated with their feces. Rats are likely to contaminate food that is not properly covered.
Rat bites: Although rare, infected rats can also transmit the virus to humans through bites from infected rats.
Unclean environments: Failure to take necessary precautions when cleaning old storerooms, woodsheds, and closed rooms where rats are likely to come in can lead to the virus being transmitted.
