What is the disease transmitted from mice to humans called? - briefly
The illness caused by rodents such as mice is a hantavirus infection, which may manifest as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
What is the disease transmitted from mice to humans called? - in detail
The illness transmitted from rodents to humans is a hantavirus infection. Hantaviruses belong to the Bunyaviridae family and are carried primarily by wild mice, rats, and voles. Human exposure occurs through inhalation of aerosolized virus particles from contaminated urine, droppings, or saliva.
Two clinical syndromes dominate:
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) – prevalent in the Americas. Early signs include fever, myalgia, and gastrointestinal upset, followed by rapid onset of respiratory distress, non‑cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and hypoxia. Mortality rates range from 30 % to 40 %.
- Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) – common in Europe and Asia. Presentation starts with fever, headache, and abdominal pain, progressing to hemorrhagic manifestations, renal impairment, and hypotension. Severity varies from mild to fatal, with mortality up to 15 % in severe forms.
Diagnosis relies on serologic testing for IgM/IgG antibodies, polymerase‑chain‑reaction detection of viral RNA, and, when available, virus isolation. No specific antiviral therapy is approved; supportive care in intensive‑care settings, including mechanical ventilation for HPS and renal replacement therapy for HFRS, improves survival.
Prevention focuses on rodent control and minimizing exposure to contaminated environments. Protective measures include sealing food sources, using gloves and masks when cleaning areas with rodent droppings, and thorough disinfection with bleach solutions.
Understanding the transmission dynamics and clinical manifestations of hantavirus infection is essential for timely recognition, appropriate management, and effective public‑health interventions.