While many of us are familiar with leptospirosis, another deadly viral disease transmitted by rats is Hantavirus. It mainly causes two types of serious health problems in humans: HPS (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome), which affects the lungs, and HFRS (Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome), which affects the kidneys. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind this disease that causes shortness of breath and internal bleeding:
Infected rodents and rodents (Rodent Reservoirs): The natural source of Hantavirus is rodents and rodents (especially deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats, etc.). This virus does not cause any symptoms in rodents. However, the viruses that multiply in their bodies are continuously excreted through their urine, feces, and saliva.
Aerosol Transmission: The most important scientific reason for the transmission of hantavirus to humans is airborne transmission. Dust particles mixed with dried rat droppings and urine are mixed with the air when swept or stirred. Through inhalation of this air (inhalation of airborne particles), the virus directly enters the human lungs.
Direct Contact and Wounds: The virus can enter the body by touching objects contaminated with rat droppings or urine and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth without washing hands thoroughly. In addition, this disease can also occur when water mixed with rat urine comes into contact with small cuts or scratches on the skin. Rat bites are also a cause of transmission.
Poorly Ventilated Spaces: This disease is more common in people who clean old warehouses, storerooms, woodsheds, and attics of houses that have been closed for a long time, where rats are likely to nest. The concentration of virus-laden dust particles is very high in such places with poor ventilation.
Contaminated Food: When food is left on the floor or in containers where rats have run or walked, it is possible for the saliva or urine of the rats to mix with them. Hantavirus can also enter the body through the digestive system by consuming such contaminated food and water. (This virus is not usually transmitted from one person to another).
