Hanta+Virus

= Hantavirus = = =

__**Description of virus that causes the disease.**__
^ Diagram of the hantavirus ^


 * enveloped
 * single-stranded
 * mostly negative-sense RNA
 * have 3 genomic segments ( segment reassortment in species is common)
 * spherical
 * 90 - 100 nm (nanometers)
 * spiked

__**Viral Specificity:**__

 * is found in rodents, but does not affect them
 * is found in (and harms) human cells
 * muscle and bone cells
 * certain cells in the immune system - kidney, lung, etc.
 * platelets (blood cells)

__**Symptoms and progression of the disease:**__

 * fever of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit
 * chills
 * body aches
 * trouble breathing
 * symptoms appear from 2 weeks to 45 days after contact with virus
 * incubation period of 2-4 weeks in humans
 * can cause kidney failure
 * respiratory distress
 * blood abnormalities
 * can be fatal

__**Common Methods of Transmission:**__
^ How hantavirus is obtained ^


 * contact with deer mice ot their droppings, unrine or saliva
 * breathe in contaminated air
 * contact with mucus membranes or broken skin
 * being bitten by an infected mouse
 * eating contaminated food
 * is NOT obtained through other humans (isn't contagious)

^ Potential exposure of hantavirus^
 * Red - Farm - 25%
 * Blue - Domestic - 34.4%
 * Orange - Domestic and additional risk factors - 15.6%
 * Purple - Unknown - 9.4%
 * Other - Wildlife Surveys, Recreational, Ranch, Military, Lumber Mill - 3.1% (each)

__**Treatment and Prevention (if any):**__

 * no vaccination
 * keep home and work place as free of deer mice and other rodents as possible
 * when cleaning up after them, wear gloves and masks, and cover any breaks in the skin

__**Miscellaneous:**__
 * half of cases result in death
 * identified in early 1950's during Korean War

__**Resources accessed:**__
Tara K. Harper TKH Virology Notes: Hantavirus http://www.tarakharper.com/v_hanta.htm#mech 2004 (accessed October 2010)

Hantavirus Infection: Communicable Disease Control http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/Hantavirusfs.pdf January 2006 (accessed October 2010)

Albert Health Services Hantavirus Fact Sheet http://www.capitalhealth.ca/nr/rdonlyres/eadfrvwshjsrijkjghmls3zghxc2hxzkjube26dzceggyyuobvmhq6iqinaacbcfnykboyjxui3jjsf5bqurd2xsf4g/hantavirusfactsheet.pdf September 2008 (accessed October 2010)

The Health Central Network Hantavirus Infection - Syptoms, Treatment, and Prevention [] 2010 (accessed October 19, 2010)

OSSTF/FEESO Hantavirus [] 2010 (accessed October 19, 2010)

Hantaviruses - Respiratory Distress Syndrome [] 2007 (accessed October 19, 2010)

Public Health Agency of Canada Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrom in Canada, 1989 - 1999 [] April 15, 2000 (accessed October 19, 2010)