Labcare 18 May 2026

Hantavirus Infection: Symptoms, Risks, and Modern Diagnostics

Hantaviruses are a genus of viruses affecting humans and animals, belonging to the monotypic family Hantaviridae of the order Bunyavirales. In nature, hantaviruses are found primarily in rodents. Typically, each hantavirus is associated with a specific rodent species, and each rodent carrier hosts only one type of hantavirus. In their natural reservoirs, hantaviruses usually cause an asymptomatic persistent infection. In humans, however, hantaviruses cause two major diseases depending on the geographic region and viral strain.
The incubation period ranges from 4 to 42 days. Early symptoms resemble influenza and include sudden fever, severe headache, weakness, chills, and muscle pain (especially in the back and legs).
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)
– Common in Europe and Asia.
– Characterized by facial and eye redness, skin rash, and abdominal pain.
– In later stages, it may lead to acute kidney injury, hypotension, and internal bleeding.
Hantavirus Pulmonary (Cardiopulmonary) Syndrome (HPS/HCPS)
– Predominantly found in North and South America.
– Presents with dry cough, chest tightness, and rapidly progressing shortness of breath.
– Can result in pulmonary edema and acute respiratory failure. Without prompt medical care, death may occur within 24–48 hours.
Since there are no specific antiviral treatments available for hantavirus infection, management is based on urgent hospitalization and intensive supportive care.
Hantavirus is not transmitted from person to person. Infection occurs mainly through inhalation of dust or aerosolized particles contaminated with urine, feces, or saliva from infected wild rodents such as mice or voles.
Other possible routes of infection include:
– Through damaged skin or mucous membranes after contact with rodents or contaminated surfaces;
– Through contaminated food products (alimentary transmission).
– The highest risk periods for human infection are late spring, summer, and autumn, when outdoor activities and contact with nature increase.
Given the nonspecific nature of the early clinical manifestations and the risk of rapid progression to acute renal failure, the implementation of highly sensitive early screening methods is critically important.

We offer modern ELISA tests for the qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to hantaviruses.
For further information, please contact our Labcare department specialists.