Ziekteverwekker
Hantaviruses form a family of viruses that can cause infectious disease and death. There are different types of hantaviruses. In the Netherlands, three types of hantaviruses occur that can cause disease in humans. These are transmitted to humans by various types of rodents:
- Puumalavirus via bank voles
- Seoulvirus via (domestic) rats
- Tulavirus via field mice
Gevoelige diersoorten
Mice and rats, in particular, can carry these viruses. The virus spreads through bites or by inhaling virus particles in the air. Mice and rats can transmit the virus to humans.
Symptomen dieren
Wild rodents carrying the hantavirus usually show no symptoms.
Symptomen mens
In the Netherlands, infection by the Puumalavirus is the most common. Usually, people do not get sick from this virus. If people do get sick, the symptoms are usually mild, such as:
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
Sometimes the symptoms are more severe and the kidneys or liver may become mildly inflamed. Read more about hantavirus in humans on the RIVM website: Hantavirus | RIVM.
Voorzorgsmaatregelen
Avoid or minimize contact with rodents in your home, workplace, or campsite to reduce the risk of exposure to hantaviruses. Seal holes and cracks in your home or garage to prevent rodents from entering these areas. Remove all easily accessible food that could attract rodents.
Read more about precautions on the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website: About Hantavirus | Hantavirus | CDC.