What Is Hantavirus, the Rodent-Borne Disease That Killed Gene Hackman's Wife?

Recently, Betsy Arakawa, wife of renowned American actor and Oscar winner Gene Hackman, tragically passed away due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). This serves as a stark reminder that rat infestations are not just a nuisance but also a significant source of Hantavirus transmission. 

The warm and humid climate here provides an ideal environment for rat breeding and disease transmission. This article will guide you through: 

• What is hantavirus? 
• How is the virus transmitted? 
• Symptoms and risks of infection 
• Measures to prevent rat infestations

What is hantavirus? 

Hantavirus infections are zoonotic diseases, they can be transmitted between animals and humans. They are primarily spread to people via rodents (such as rats and voles) carrying the virus. Humans infected with hantavirus can develop two main illnesses: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). 

• HFRS primarily affects the kidneys, causing symptoms such as fever, headache, back pain, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and kidney failure.
• HPS primarily affects the lungs, causing symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, cough, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can lead to respiratory failure.

How the Virus Spreads? 

• Airborne Transmission: When rodent droppings, urine, or saliva dry out, the virus can become airborne in dust particles. Inhaling these contaminated particles can lead to infection.
• Direct Contact: Consuming food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents can transmit the virus.
• Contact with Contaminated Surfaces: Touching surfaces contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth can lead to infection.
• Rodent Bites: being bitten by an infected rodent can also transmit the virus.

Infection Symptoms 

Symptoms of a hantavirus infection vary depending on the type of virus. The incubation periods, early symptoms, and later-stage symptoms are as follows: 

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) 

• Incubation Period: Approximately 12 to 16 days, but can be as long as two months.
• Early Symptoms: Severe headache, back pain, abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, and blurred vision.
• Later-Stage Symptoms: Low blood pressure and acute kidney failure. The mortality rate varies from less than 1% to 15%. 

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) 

• Incubation Period: Between 6 days and several weeks, with an average of about 2 weeks.
• Early Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, muscle aches, which may also be accompanied by headache, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
• Later-Stage Symptoms: Respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath may appear 4 to 10 days after the onset of illness. The mortality rate can be as high as 40%.

Common Rodent Infestation Sites 

• Residential Areas: Improperly handled food waste attracts rodents into living spaces
• Commercial Zones: Restaurants and food processing facilities, due to the abundance of food residues, are prone to rodent infestations
• Public Areas: Garbage disposal sites, markets, alleys, sewers, and parks are all high-risk areas for rodent activity

Rodent Prevention Measures

Home Cleanliness:

• Regularly clean your home, eliminating potential rodent hiding places.
• Store food in airtight containers to avoid attracting rodents.
• Inspect and seal cracks and holes in your house to prevent rodent entry.

Clean Contaminated Items

• Always wear a mask and gloves when cleaning rodent droppings to avoid inhaling virus-containing dust.
• Use a disinfectant containing bleach to clean contaminated surfaces.
• Do not use a broom or vacuum cleaner directly, as this may stir up viral particles into the air.

Precautions for Outdoor Activities

• Avoid areas where rodents may be present, such as abandoned buildings or areas with overgrown vegetation.
• When camping, store food in sealed containers off the ground.

Seek Professional Rodent Control Services

• Rodent infestations can be complex, and individual measures may not be enough to completely resolve the problem.
• It is recommended to contact a professional pest control company for comprehensive and effective control measures.

Why Rentokil Initial?

Rentokil Initial is your pest control and hygiene expert with over 60 years of experience in protecting the health of Hong Kong people and is the first choice for commercial and residential pest control services.

• We have been awarded ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certificates by BSI, an international standards body, which is in line with international standards.
• Google Review 4.9 stars, with real customer experience close to perfect score.
• Winner of the Caring Company Award for 7 consecutive years, we actively contributing to the local community.