What is Hantavirus? Why is the WHO monitoring it even though the risk is low?
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many may feel that the world is beginning to return to normal. However, recent news about the discovery of Hantavirus infections on a cruise ship, resulting in several deaths, reminds us that "emerging diseases" can always occur in our constantly interconnected world.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) assesses the overall public health risk as low, this event reflects an important point: health in the modern era may not simply mean "not getting sick," but also encompasses the body's ability to cope, recover, and adapt to ever-changing health risks.
This is especially true for urban workers who face accumulated stress, insufficient rest, frequent commuting, and silent chronic inflammation, all of which affect the immune system more than many people realize.
Many people may find themselves living with late-night meetings, continuous travel, and insufficient rest, leading them to feel that they are "not recovering as before" or becoming more susceptible to illness without a known cause, even though basic health check results may still be within the normal range.
Hantavirus is a group of viruses found in rodents, particularly rats, and can be transmitted to humans through contact with bodily fluids such as urine, feces, saliva, or contaminated dust.
The initial symptoms may resemble a common cold, so many people may not notice them at the beginning. Common symptoms include:
I have a fever and feel weak.
Muscle aches and pains
headache
Nausea or dizziness
Shivering
However, in some cases, the symptoms can be severe, leading to pneumonia, respiratory failure, or sudden low blood pressure.
The strain that the WHO is currently monitoring is the "Andes virus," which is considered the only Hantavirus strain with documented evidence of being able to spread from person to person in a limited capacity through prolonged close contact.
What is this image illustrating?
Although they are all called Hantavirus, each strain can affect the body differently depending on the region.
The American side (Andes virus) is often associated with inflammation of the lungs and cardiovascular system.
In Europe and Asia (Hantaan virus), it is often associated with bleeding and kidney inflammation.
Why is the WHO monitoring the situation even though the risk is low?
Although the number of infections is not yet high, the WHO is taking this event seriously because there are several factors that require close monitoring, such as:
1. International travel.
Cruise ships are places where people from many different countries are together in an enclosed space for extended periods, making it easier for infectious diseases to spread.
2. Incubation period of the disease.Hantavirus
Hantavirus has an incubation period of several days to several weeks, which means some people may not show symptoms while traveling.
3. The Andes virus differs from typical Hantaviruses.
Most Hantaviruses are transmitted from rodents to humans, but the Andes virus is a strain that has been shown to be able to spread from person to person in some cases, and therefore is being closely monitored.
Why do some people experience severe symptoms, while others show almost no symptoms?
One issue that the medical community has paid more attention to since COVID-19 is that "each person's immunity is different." Even when exposed to the same type of virus, the body's response can vary due to a combination of factors, including sleep quality, chronic stress, gut health, hormonal balance, accumulated inflammation, and levels of vitamins and antioxidants in the body.
Low-grade chronic inflammation can affect immune function in the long term, reducing the body's response to stress and infections—sometimes without people even realizing it.
From a preventive medicine perspective, these factors are related to what is called "immune resilience," or the body's ability to cope, recover, and return to balance after experiencing stress, inflammation, or infection.
Immune health, therefore, does not depend solely on pathogens, but also involves the "overall readiness of the body."
Immunity is more related to "lifestyle" than you might think.
Many city workers may be living with stress without realizing it, due to factors such as consistently staying up late, insufficient rest, frequent commuting, processed foods, or accumulated work burnout.
While these factors may seem normal in modern life, at a biological level, the body may be experiencing “low-level chronic inflammation,” affecting multiple systems, including the immune system.
Factors that may affect immune resilience include:
Chronic stress
Poor quality sleep
An imbalance in gut health.
Vitamin and antioxidant deficiencies.
Hormone imbalance
Chronic inflammation at the cellular level.
Chronic stress is also associated with cortisol hormone imbalances, which can affect sleep quality, recovery, and the immune response in the long term.
At the same time, gut health plays a crucial role in the immune system because gut microbes are directly involved in regulating inflammation, nutrient absorption, and maintaining immune balance.
In some individuals, cellular fatigue or decreased mitochondrial function may also be associated with fatigue, slow recovery, or brain fog.
Signs that may indicate a decline in immune resilience.
Often, the body may send warning signals before a clear illness occurs, especially in people who work hard, get little rest, or experience continuous stress.
Common signs include:
I get tired easily even after getting enough sleep.
Slow recovery after illness.
Decreased concentration or brain fog.
Light sleep
My allergies flare up frequently.
I regularly feel a drop in energy in the afternoon.
Even if basic health check results are still within the normal range, in some cases, these symptoms may reflect a deep-seated imbalance in the body that is beginning to affect quality of life.
How important is preventive medicine in the era of emerging infectious diseases?
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of "Preventive Medicine" has garnered increased attention worldwide, as many diseases are not solely related to pathogens but also to the body's ability to respond to stress, inflammation, and recovery.
The approach of preventive medicine, therefore, is not simply about whether someone is "sick or not," but also includes assessing the body's balance at a deep level to identify factors that may affect long-term health before the body begins to show clear signs of disease.
These assessments may cover all of the following:
Hormone balance
Vitamin and antioxidant levels.
chronic inflammation
Gut health
Sleep quality
Metabolic health
In some cases, a doctor may consider...Comprehensive health check-upThis additional information helps to comprehensively assess the quality of immunity and overall physical readiness, especially in individuals with chronic fatigue, frequent illness, or who feel less than optimal health even when basic test results are normal.
Who might need to pay more attention to their immune health?
Preventive healthcare may be suitable for those who begin to feel that their bodies are not recovering as well as before, or who have chronic symptoms with no clear cause.
Especially the following groups:
People who travel frequently
People who work get little rest.
People with accumulated stress.
People who get sick easily or recover slowly.
People with chronic inflammation.
People with sleep problems or brain fog.
People who have normal health check results but still feel they are not in their best health.
How to take care of your immunity in daily life.
While we may not be able to control all emerging diseases, continued self-care can help support immune function and long-term recovery.
Key basic guidelines include:
Get enough quality sleep.
Exercise regularly
Reduce consumption of processed foods and high-sugar foods.
Take care of your gut health.
Reduce accumulated stress.
Health check-ups tailored to individual risk factors.
In addition, avoiding areas that may be contaminated with rodents, as well as maintaining good hygiene during travel, are also important in reducing the risk of infectious diseases.
When should you see a doctor?
If you experience fever accompanied by unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or a history of exposure to areas potentially contaminated with rodents, you should consult a doctor for further evaluation, especially if symptoms do not improve within a few days.
Most cases are transmitted through contact with rodent secretions such as urine, feces, saliva, or contaminated dust.
Can Hantavirus be transmitted from person to person?
Most Hantavirus strains are not transmitted between people, but the Andes virus variant has been shown to be able to spread from person to person in a limited capacity through prolonged close contact.
Is Hantavirus dangerous?
In some cases, the condition can be severe, leading to pneumonia or respiratory failure. However, the WHO assesses the overall public health risk as low.
Can Hantavirus be prevented?
While complete prevention is impossible, avoiding areas potentially contaminated with rodents, maintaining good hygiene during travel, and consistently taking care of overall health can help reduce the risk.
Who should we be especially wary of?
Individuals exposed to areas contaminated with rodents, those with chronic illnesses, or those with weakened immune systems should exercise extra caution.
Why is maintaining a healthy immune system important?
The immune system plays a role in both the body's response and recovery. Managing sleep quality, stress, diet, and overall health may help support long-term immune resilience.
Key Takeaways
Hantavirus is a virus that is transmitted from rodents to humans, and some strains may spread between humans within a limited circle.
The WHO assesses the public health risk as low, but continues to monitor the situation closely.
Disease severity may be related to immune quality, inflammation, and metabolic health.
City dwellers who experience accumulated stress, sleep deprivation, or frequent travel may unknowingly have decreased immune resilience.
Preventive medicine focuses on in-depth health care to help the body prepare to cope with long-term risks.
This information is provided for general medical knowledge only and cannot replace a diagnosis or advice from a specialist. If you experience any unusual symptoms, please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions or seeking any medical treatment.
