Hantavirus - including symptoms, treatment and prevention

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause no or mild flu-like symptoms to serious illnesses and death. These viruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

There has never been a reported case of hantavirus in people in Australia. 

Hantavirus is a notifiable condition1

How Hantavirus is spread

People are usually infected by contact with rodents (particularly rats and mice) or environments contaminated by rodent urine, saliva, or faeces.

The Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to be able to be passed between people who are in prolonged proximity to each other, such as members of the same household.

Signs and Symptoms of Hantavirus

Symptoms of both HFRS and HPS usually start one to four weeks after infection, although they can appear up to eight weeks after exposure.

In both diseases initial symptoms are flu-like and may include high fever, headaches, muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)

  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain

Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

  • blurred vision
  • flushed face
  • inflammation or redness of the eyes
  • low blood pressure 
  • rash
  • bleeding
  • kidney failure

Incubation period

(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)

The incubation period is one to eight weeks

Infectious period

(time during which an infected person can infect others)

Most types of hantavirus are not known to spread from human to human. Human to human tranmission of Andes virus is rare. People with Andes virus infection can spread the virus once symptoms begin.

Diagnosis of Hantavirus

Hantavirus infection is difficult to diagnose and may be diagnosed through laboratory testing of a blood sample. Testing for hantavirus should only be done after discussion with an infectious diseases or clinical microbiology specialist.

Treatment of Hantavirus

There is no specific treatment for hantavirus.

Treatment is supportive, focusing on respiratory and cardiac monitoring, blood filtering treatment (dialysis) and machine support to help with breathing and oxygen levels if needed.

Prevention of Hantavirus

Useful links

Further information for health professionals on hantavirus infection is available from the following resources: 

1 — In South Australia the law requires doctors and laboratories to report some infections or diseases to SA Health. These infections or diseases are commonly referred to as 'notifiable conditions'.