Hantavirus Is Real. But The Information You're Seeing Isn't Necessarily.
HuffPost
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is understandable concern about new viruses. However, infectious disease researchers emphasize that hantavirus currently poses a significantly lower level of threat compared to COVID-19. The public's awareness and potential for panic are acknowledged.
- Hantavirus is a group of viruses that can be transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. The most common mode of transmission is through inhalation of aerosolized virus particles when rodent droppings become disturbed. Less commonly, infection can occur through bites from infected rodents or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face.
- Symptoms of hantavirus infection can vary, with two main syndromes being identified: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). HPS, more prevalent in North and South America, begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. This can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress, including shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs, which can be life-threatening. HFRS, found primarily in Europe and Asia, presents with fever, headache, back pain, and a rash, and can lead to kidney problems.
- While hantavirus can cause serious illness and mortality, its transmission patterns and overall public health impact are substantially different from that of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Hantavirus is not typically spread from person to person, unlike respiratory viruses. Prevention strategies largely focus on rodent control and avoiding exposure to their excreta in enclosed spaces like homes and sheds.
