Slow death’ Mysterious fever, kidney failure and water in the lungs, know how dangerous is Hanta virus? has taken many lives

Hantavirus Outbreak: Recently, there was a stir in the whole world when a cruise ship ‘MV Hondias’ sank from Ushuaia, Argentina. Two women suddenly died of Hanta virus. As soon as this news came out, people and governments around the world were shocked. Everyone is scared of whether this new virus is as dangerous as Corona. How does it spread? And what are the measures to prevent this? Let us tell you what this virus is, how it spreads, how dangerous it is, and whether there is any vaccine available for it or not?

How does Hanta virus spread?

Last month in April, a cruise ship ‘MV Hondias’ sank from Ushuaia in the South American country of Argentina. Had left. There were 170 passengers and 71 crew members from 23 countries on board this ship. This ship was going to circumnavigate Antarctica with these passengers. But suddenly people started falling ill on the way. After this, on April 11, a 70-year-old Dutch man died. after this His wife died on 24 April and another German woman on 2 May. These deaths filled the people of the ship with fear. The post mortem report revealed that the cause of all these deaths was Hanta virus.

Three people died on MV Hondius cruise ship due to Hanta virus (Source- Social Media)

What is Hantavirus and how does it spread between humans?

The name of this virus is South Korea’s ‘Huntan’ Lying on the river. It is found mainly in the feces, urine, and saliva of rodents such as rats and squirrels. When a person comes in contact with them or breathes infected air, it enters the body. Apart from this, it can also spread through saliva, spit or sharing utensils with an infected person.

When did Hantavirus first appear?

This virus first appeared during the Korean War of 1950-53. At that time, the United Nations soldiers stationed in Korea suddenly started falling victim to a mysterious fever. Then it was called Korean hemorrhagic fever. More than 3,000 soldiers fell ill and about 250 died in the Korean War. After this, scientists identified it in the 1970s and after that it was named Hanta virus.

How dangerous is Hantavirus for humans?

According to the information, this virus affects the two most important organs of the body, lungs and kidneys.

Hanta virus spreads through rats (AI generated photo)

lungs: These get filled with water which makes breathing difficult, this is called ‘Hanta Virus Pulmonary Syndrome’ (HPS) is called.

kidney: The kidneys stop working and bleeding may begin inside the body, called &8216;hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome&8217; (HFRS).

According to experts, if the symptoms are not detected in time after coming in contact with it, then this virus is extremely fatal and it can spread very easily. According to experts, Hanta virus is very dangerous because 35-40% of people infected with it can die within 6 weeks. It may take 1 to 8 weeks for its symptoms to appear. The biggest problem is that its symptoms are similar to those of a normal disease. In which there are symptoms like fever and normal flu, but later the condition starts deteriorating rapidly.

Symptoms of Hanta virus are like normal fever (AI generated photo)

Is there any treatment available for this virus?

At present there is no specific medicine or vaccine for Hantavirus. Patients are put on oxygen therapy, ventilators or, in case of kidney failure, dialysis, depending on their condition. In some cases ‘ribavirin’ Antiviral medicine named is also given. However, researchers have been trying to make its vaccine for a long time.

Can it spread across the world like Corona?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has currently refused to consider it an epidemic like Corona. According to WHO experts, the infection on the ship was quite limited and now preparations are being made to send all the passengers back to their countries safely after investigation.

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What is its impact on India?

There were also two Indian crew members on the cruise ship, but no symptoms of infection were found in them. According to ICMR, there is no direct threat to India at present. However, isolated cases of Hantavirus have already been reported in India in 2007, 2008 and 2016.