Huntavirus pulmonary syndrome is an infectious disease caused by inhaling viruses shed by rodents like rats. It begins with flu-like symptoms and can progress to life-threatening breathing problems. There is no specific treatment, so prevention through rodent control is important. People at risk are those exposed to rodents through occupations or activities like camping. Protective measures include sealing access points in homes and properly disinfecting areas with rodent droppings.

1. SENIOR NURSES LECTURE
SERIES
HUNTA VIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME

2. DEFINITION
• Huntavirus pulmonary syndrome is an infectious disease characterized by
flu-like symptoms that can progress rapidly to potentially life-threatening
breathing problems.
• Several types of huntaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
They are carried by several types of rodents, particularly the white footed
rat. You become infected primarily by breathing air infected with
hantaviruses that are shed in rodent urine and droppings.
• Because treatment options are limited, the best protection against
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is to avoid rodents and their habitats.

3. SYMPTOMS
• Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome advances
through two distinct stages. In the first stage, you
may experience flu-like signs and symptoms that
may include
• Fever and chills
• Headaches and muscle aches
• Vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain

4. SYMPTOMS
• In its early stages, hantavirus infection is
difficult to distinguish from influenza,
pneumonia or other viral conditions. After
four to 10 days, more-serious signs and
symptoms begin. They typically include:
• A cough that produces secretions
• Shortness of breath
• Fluid accumulating within the lungs
• Low blood pressure
• Reduced heart efficiency

5. CAUSES
• Each type of huntavirus has a preferred rodent carrier. The white
tailed mountain rats is the primary carrier of the virus
responsible for most cases of huntavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Other huntavirus carriers include the common house rat and rice
paddy rat.

6. CULPRITS
White tailed rat
Common rat

7. INHALATION: MAIN ROUTE OF TRANSMISSION
• Huntaviruses are transmitted to people primarily through the
"aerosolization" of viruses shed in infected rodents' droppings, urine or
saliva. Aerosolization occurs when a virus is kicked up into the air,
making it easy for you to inhale. For example, a broom used to clean up
mouse droppings in an attic may nudge into the air tiny particles of
feces containing huntaviruses, which you can then easily inhale. After
you inhale huntaviruses, they reach your lungs and begin to invade tiny
blood vessels called capillaries, eventually causing them to leak. Your
lungs then flood with fluid, which can trigger any of the respiratory
problems associated with huntavirus pulmonary syndrome.

8. PERSON-TO-PERSON TRANSMISSION
• People who have the North Tropical version of
huntavirus pulmonary syndrome aren't contagious to
other people. However, the milder South Temperate
variety (Asian) of the disease can be transmitted from
person to person.

9. CYCLE

10. RISK FACTORS
The chance of developing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is greater for
people who work, live or play in spaces where rodents live. Factors and
activities that increase the risk include:
• Opening and cleaning long unused buildings or sheds
• Housecleaning, particularly in attics or other low-traffic areas
• Having a home or work space infested with rodents
• Having a job that involves exposure to rodents, such as construction, utility
work and pest control
• Camping, hiking or hunting

11. COMPLICATIONS
• Huntavirus pulmonary syndrome can quickly become life-threatening.
As the lungs fill with fluid, it becomes more and
more difficult to breathe. Blood pressure drops and organs begin
to fail, particularly the heart. Depending on the huntavirus strain,
the mortality rate for asian variety of huntavirus pulmonary
syndrome is more than 30 percent.

12. TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
• Specific treatment options for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
are limited. But the prognosis improves with early recognition,
immediate hospitalization and adequate support for breathing.

13. SUPPORTIVE THERAPY
• People with severe cases need immediate treatment in an
intensive care unit. Assisted respiration, whether through
intubation or mechanical ventilation, can help with breathing
and ward off pulmonary edema. Intubation involves placing a
breathing tube through your nose, mouth or trachea to help keep
your airways open and functioning.

14. BLOOD OXYGENATION
• In extremely severe cases of pulmonary distress, you'll need a
method called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to help
ensure you retain a sufficient supply of oxygen. This involves
continuously pumping your blood through a machine that
removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen. The oxygenated blood
is then returned to your body.

15. PREVENTION
Keeping rodents out of your home and workplace can help reduce your risk of hantavirus infection. Try
these tips:
• Block access. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) wide. Seal holes
with wire screening, metal flashing or cement.
• Close the food buffet. Wash dishes promptly, clean counters and floors, and store your food —
including pet food — in rodent-proof containers. Use tight-fitting lids on garbage cans.
• Reduce nesting material. Clear brush, grass and junk away from the building's foundation.
• Set traps. Spring-loaded traps should be set along baseboards. Exercise caution while using poison-bait
traps, as the poison also can harm people and pets.

16. SAFE CLEANUP PROCEDURES
Wet down dead rodents and areas where rodents have been with alcohol,
household disinfectants or bleach. This kills the virus and helps prevent
infected dust from being stirred up into the air. Once everything is wet, use a
damp towel to pick up the contaminated material. Then mop or sponge the
area with disinfectant.
Take special precautions, such as wearing a respirator, when cleaning buildings
with heavy rodent infestations.

17. SENIOR LECTURE SERIES
By:
JOEL P. DANTE R.N.
CODE & TRAUMA SENIOR NURSE
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
CEBU CITY MEDICAL CENTER