Hantavirus is an uncommon but potentially serious viral infection that has attracted global attention following several reported outbreaks overseas. While hantavirus infections remain relatively rare, the disease highlights the importance of rodent control, environmental hygiene and awareness of potential exposure risks.
Unlike respiratory infections such as influenza or COVID-19, hantavirus is primarily associated with contact with infected rodents and contaminated environments. People usually become infected after inhaling tiny particles contaminated by rodent urine, saliva or droppings.
For most Malaysians, the overall risk remains low. However, understanding how hantavirus spreads and recognising its symptoms can help individuals seek timely medical attention if needed.
Hantavirus refers to a group of viruses carried by certain rodents. In humans, hantavirus infections can cause two major illnesses:
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which primarily affects the lungs.
Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys.
HPS is more commonly reported in the Americas, while HFRS is more frequently seen in parts of Europe and Asia.
Hantavirus is carried naturally by rodents without making them ill. Humans become infected when they come into contact with contaminated rodent urine, saliva, droppings or nesting materials. Although infections are uncommon, severe cases can lead to life-threatening complications involving the lungs, kidneys and circulatory system.
While hantavirus has been reported in various countries across Asia, documented human cases in Malaysia remain rare.
In the Malaysian context, rodent-associated diseases such as leptospirosis are more commonly discussed due to their higher incidence and greater public health impact. Nevertheless, rodent infestations and poor environmental sanitation remain important concerns because they can increase exposure to a range of infectious diseases.
Although hantavirus infections are relatively uncommon in Malaysia, it is still important to maintain proper hygiene, pest control measures, and safe cleaning practices to protect public health.
Rats and other rodents are the natural carriers of hantaviruses. They can carry and shed the virus without showing any signs of illness. The virus may be present in rodent urine, droppings, saliva, and nesting materials.
As rodents move through homes, storerooms, farms, warehouses and waste disposal areas, they may contaminate surfaces and surrounding environments.
When contaminated droppings or nesting materials are disturbed during sweeping, cleaning or renovation work, tiny particles may become airborne. People can then inhale these particles and become infected.
For this reason, rodent infestations in homes, workplaces and storage facilities are considered the primary source of human exposure.
Certain groups may face a higher risk of exposure due to their work, activities or living conditions. Higher-risk groups include:
Pest control workers
Farmers and agricultural workers
Construction and renovation workers
Warehouse and storeroom personnel
Forestry workers
Campers and outdoor enthusiasts
Individuals cleaning abandoned buildings or sheds
People living in areas with significant rodent infestations
Risk may also increase following floods, natural disasters or prolonged periods of poor waste management when rodent activity becomes more prominent.
Symptoms usually develop between 1 and 8 weeks after exposure, with most cases occurring within 2 to 4 weeks.
Early symptoms often resemble a common viral illness, making hantavirus difficult to recognise during its initial stages. Common early symptoms include:
Fever and chills
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal discomfort
Diarrhoea
As the illness progresses, some individuals may develop more serious symptoms, including:
Shortness of breath
Persistent cough
Chest tightness
Reduced urine output
Swelling of the body
Low blood pressure
These symptoms require immediate medical evaluation.
Both hantavirus and leptospirosis are associated with rodents, but they are caused by different organisms and spread through different routes.
Because the symptoms may overlap during the early stages, professional medical evaluation is important for obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Hantavirus most commonly spreads when contaminated particles from rodent urine, droppings or saliva become airborne and are inhaled. Most infections are linked to environmental exposure rather than direct contact with another infected person.
Hantavirus does not usually spread from person to person. Most hantavirus infections worldwide occur through exposure to infected rodents and contaminated environments.
The survival of hantavirus outside the host depends on environmental conditions. Factors such as temperature, humidity, sunlight exposure and ventilation influence how long the virus remains active.
Because contaminated environments may pose a risk for a period of time, rodent droppings, urine and nesting materials should always be handled carefully using appropriate cleaning and disinfection methods.
Spray droppings with disinfectant and allow them to soak before removal. Dry sweeping or vacuuming can aerosolise contaminated particles and increase exposure risk.
Safe rodent removal and environmental cleaning are important steps in reducing exposure risks. If you discover evidence of rodent infestation:
Avoid sweeping or vacuuming droppings directly.
Ventilate the area before cleaning.
Wear gloves and appropriate protective equipment.
Use disinfectants according to manufacturer instructions.
Dispose of contaminated materials safely.
Seal entry points where rodents may enter.
Contact professional pest control services when necessary.
Hantavirus is more commonly associated with wild rodents than with pets. Dogs and cats may come into contact with rodents, but they are not considered the primary source of human hantavirus transmission.
While the overall risk is considered low, good hygiene practices should always be followed when handling any pet rodent. This includes washing hands after handling pets, cleaning cages safely and obtaining pets from reputable sources.
Currently, there is no widely available vaccine approved for hantavirus prevention in most countries, including Malaysia. There is also no specific antiviral cure routinely used for hantavirus infection.
Treatment focuses on supportive medical care, which may include:
Oxygen therapy
Intravenous fluids
Blood pressure support
Intensive care monitoring
Respiratory support in severe cases
Early diagnosis and prompt medical attention can significantly improve outcomes, particularly for patients who develop lung or kidney complications.
If you develop fever, flu-like symptoms, breathing difficulties or signs of kidney problems after exposure to rats-infested environments, seek medical attention promptly.
Early assessment is important because hantavirus symptoms can resemble many other infections during the initial stages.
At Prince Court Medical Centre, our infectious disease specialists work closely with emergency medicine, respiratory medicine and critical care teams to evaluate and manage complex infectious diseases.
If you experience severe shortness of breath, chest tightness, confusion, reduced urine output or other signs of serious illness, please contact our Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department at +603-2160 0999.
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