Arizona Hantavirus spike: How dangerous is the sickness and should you be worried

As of August 9, nine confirmed cases, including three fatalities, have been reported.

PUBLISHED AUG 21, 2024

Since 2012, Arizona has typically seen zero to five cases of hantavirus per year.

Phoenix, Arizona: The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is alerting the public about an increase in hantavirus cases across the state. As of August 9, nine confirmed cases, including three fatalities, have been reported in Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Pima counties. This marks only the second case in Pima County's history. Since 2012, Arizona has typically seen zero to five cases of hantavirus per year, making this year’s surge particularly concerning.

Hantaviruses are carried by various wild rodents, primarily deer mice, which show no visible signs of illness. The virus is commonly found in northern and rural regions of Arizona but can be present throughout the southwestern United States. People are exposed to hantaviruses by inhaling infected particles from rodent saliva, urine, or droppings, or through direct contact with rodents or their nesting materials. Hantavirus cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Since 1993, approximately 43 hantavirus strains, of which 20 are pathogenic, have been found in the Americas and are referred to as the New World hantaviruses. Seen here is a transmission electron micrograph of the Sin Nombre Hantavirus. (Photo: CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith)

Symptoms of hantavirus infection typically appear within one to five weeks of exposure. Early symptoms include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal issues. If untreated, the infection can progress to severe respiratory distress and potentially fatal pneumonia.

Given the serious nature of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, ADHS urges anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention, especially if they have recently been exposed to rodents or rodent-infested areas.

To address the rise in cases, ADHS is working closely with local health departments and other partners to monitor and investigate hantavirus cases. The Arizona State Public Health Lab offers confirmatory testing to ensure accurate diagnoses. ADHS also collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to report data and access the latest information.

Is the Hantavirus just one virus?

No, hantavirus refers to a group of viruses that belong to the family Hantaviridae. The two main diseases associated with hantaviruses are Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), found primarily in the Americas, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), found in Europe and Asia. Here are the types of Hantaviruses.

Sin Nombre Virus (SNV)

Region: North America (primarily the United States).

Andes Virus (ANDV)

Region: South America (primarily Argentina and Chile).

Hantaan Virus (HTNV)

Region: Asia (primarily Korea and China).

Seoul Virus (SEOV)

Region: Worldwide, including urban areas.

Puumala Virus (PUUV)

Region: Europe.

Dobráva-Belgrade Virus (DOBV)

Region: Eastern Europe.

How can I contract Hantavirus?

Humans can contract the virus by inhaling air contaminated with the virus from rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. The virus can also spread through direct contact with rodents or their nesting materials. In rare cases, it can be transmitted through a rodent bite. Hantavirus is not typically transmitted from person to person, though there have been rare cases of this occurring in South America with the Andes virus variant.

People are exposed to hantaviruses by inhaling infected particles from rodent saliva, urine, or droppings.

How long after infection can I see symptoms?

Symptoms usually appear between one to five weeks after exposure.

What are the symptoms of Hantavirus infection?

Early synptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches (especially in the large muscle groups like thighs, hips, back, and shoulders), headaches, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain). Four to 10 days after initial symptoms, the illness can progress rapidly, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and severe respiratory distress. This is characteristic of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can be fatal without prompt treatment.

Can Hantavirus infection be treated?

There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus. However, early medical intervention can be life-saving. Supportive care, including oxygen therapy and sometimes mechanical ventilation, is crucial for managing severe respiratory symptoms.

What is the worst Hantavirus outbreak in the US?

The most significant hantavirus outbreak in the United States occurred in 1993 in the Four Corners region, where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet. This outbreak led to the identification of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in the US.

The outbreak began with an unexplained illness affecting otherwise healthy young adults, characterized by flu-like symptoms that quickly progressed to severe respiratory failure. Scientists eventually identified the cause as a hantavirus, later named the Sin Nombre virus.

In total, 53 cases were reported in 1993, with 32 deaths, resulting in a fatality rate of approximately 60%.

What is the worst Hantavirus outbreak in history?

The worst hantavirus outbreak in the world occurred in Argentina in late 2018 and early 2019. This outbreak was caused by the Andes virus, a hantavirus strain unique because it can be transmitted from person to person, unlike most other hantaviruses. The outbreak primarily affected the town of Epuyén in the Chubut province of southern Argentina.

The outbreak resulted in 34 confirmed cases, with 11 deaths, giving it a high mortality rate of approximately 32%. Unlike other hantavirus strains, the Andes virus can spread between people through close contact with an infected person, such as kissing, sexual contact, or sharing utensils.