Hantavirus Outbreak: Hantavirus is spreading rapidly with changing weather, a new threat from climate change.

Hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents. The virus is transmitted to the environment through their urine, feces, and saliva. Infection can occur when humans inhale infected dust or particles.

 

 

Hantavirus virus

Hantavirus Outbreak: Increasing climate change worldwide is no longer limited to the weather; its effects are also being felt on human health. Scientists say that changing weather and environmental imbalances are increasing the risk of many infectious diseases. One of these is the Hantavirus virus, which was previously considered a disease limited to certain areas, but now its cases are increasing in many countries.

According to experts, climate change is altering the habitat and numbers of rats and other rodents. These creatures are considered the main carriers of hantavirus. Consequently, the risk of them coming into contact with humans has increased even more than before.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a virus that spreads primarily through rodent species like rats and mice. The virus enters the environment through their urine, feces, and saliva. Infection can occur when infected dust or particles are inhaled by humans. According to experts, there are several strains of hantavirus, but the Andes virus is the only strain that can spread from person to person. This virus is primarily found in South America.

Why is the danger increasing due to climate change?

According to the report, climate change and irregular rainfall are affecting the number of rodents that spread hantavirus. Heavy rains cause rapid growth of vegetation, providing rodents with more food, and their populations increase. Floods, however, force these creatures to leave their natural habitats and move closer to human settlements. Droughts also bring these creatures closer to human settlements in search of food and water. This is why the risk of infection is increasing with changing weather. Experts say that rising temperatures are also affecting the rodent breeding cycle. Previously, cold weather

helped limit their numbers, but now rising temperatures are allowing them to spread to new areas.