EXPLAINER: What is hantavirus, and how does it affect the human body?
The cause of deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were finally revealed. The actor had died of heart disease, while his wife suffered from a rare but deadly disease that few were familiar with.
Arakawa had hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and was believed to have died on Feb. 11.
Hackman, who died days later, was possibly not aware that his wife was deceased, as he had "advanced" Alzheimer's.
In light of the news, attention has turned to the silent threat of hantavirus and why it continues to catch people off guard.
In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante said that infected mice or rats carry hantavirus, which is specifically present in North America.
Dr. Samantha Punzalan, an infectious diseases consultant, echoed this.
"Hantaviruses are RNA viruses under the order Bunyavirales. It consists of 10 families, including hantavirus, and there are over 350 named species. They primarily infect new world and old world rodents," she told L!fe.
That type of rat, according to Solante, is not common in Asia.
How is Hantavirus transmitted?
Hantavirus transmission occurs when a person breathes in airborne particles—a rodent's urine, droppings, or saliva that have dried out—contaminated with the virus. It can also occur when people clean or disturb areas where rodents have lived, such as sheds, barns, or homes.
"It is transmitted to human beings through inhalation of the virus with close contact of rodents, or touching or in contact with infected urine or waste of these rodents," Solante implied.
Punzalan explained that the virus affects the human body by targeting blood vessels.
"Once the virus comes in contact with the lining of the blood vessels, it causes it to leak, meaning it disrupts its natural function of maintaining fluids and proteins within the vessels."
Punzalan added that there were two reported cases of hantavirus in the Philippines in 1992; however, it is "relatively rare," unlike other rodent-borne diseases like leptospirosis.
What are its symptoms?
Solante underscored the two types of hantavirus with their corresponding symptoms.
First is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which usually presents with fever, headache, and body aches for the first three to four days. It is followed by cough, then difficulty breathing, and death, which can occur in 30% to 50% of cases. This type of hantavirus caused the death of Arakawa.
Meanwhile, the second type is hemorrhagic fever, which presents as body aches and fever, followed by a decrease in urine output, severe bleeding due to a decrease in platelet count, and renal failure. It can occur in 10% to 15% of cases.
Hantaviruses, like many other viruses, can cause "mild infection but can also cause severe, fatal infection," Punzalan said. These can cause shock manifested by severely low blood pressure, pulmonary edema, and renal insufficiency.
While there is "no treatment " for the infection, Solante said supportive management can be done. He also advised early hospitalization to prevent complications involving the lungs and kidneys.
"For treatment, there is no specific antiviral therapy for hantavirus infection although the drug ribavirin has been shown some trial studies," Punzalan added. "So the core in the treatment of this infection is still supportive."
She also emphasized that patients should be admitted to the ICU for very close monitoring.
"Early detection and supportive treatment can minimize its possible complications."
Meanwhile, she also noted that a hantavirus diagnosis is done through the detection of antibodies against the virus in the blood. However, since it's not common in our country, it's only available in research laboratories.
How can it be prevented?
The infectious disease experts reminded the public that preventing the spread of diseases linked to rodents begins with taking proactive steps to keep your home free from these unwanted guests, such as thoroughly cleaning and inspecting your living space.
"If there are rodents, wear gloves to prevent contact with urine or feces of these animals," Solante said.
"Minimize exposure from rodent sources and maintain a clean environment to minimize rodent infestation," Punzalan noted.
