Dr Osas Ikponwonsa, the Chief Medical Director, Calvary Estate Hospital, Benin, says hantavirus infection can lead to other complications if not treated.
Ikponwonsa said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Benin.
He explained that Orthohantaviruses are single-stranded, enveloped, negative-sense RNA viruses in the Hantaviridae family of the order Bunyavirales, which normally infect rodents where they do not cause disease.
Ikponwonsa noted that humans might become infected with Hantaviruses through contact with rodent urine, saliva or faeces. “Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can worsen suddenly and may quickly become life-threatening if not treated once it is noticeable,“ he said.
According to the physician, the symptoms include fever and chills, headaches and muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain.
He said: “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. Read more