Epidemiologist Says Hantavirus Does Not Spread Easily Between Humans
The recent discussion of Hantavirus on social media has sparked public concern, with many comparing it to the Covid-19 virus that caused a global pandemic. However, an epidemiologist has emphasised that the characteristics of Hantavirus are very different, meaning its potential for spread is not the same as the coronavirus.
Minsarnawati, a specialist epidemiologist and Head of the Public Health Study Programme at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, said the public should remain vigilant without excessive panic. “With Covid, transmission is directly from human to human. Meanwhile, Hantavirus is carried by rodents such as rats and shrews,” Minsarnawati said in a statement on Saturday.
She explained that this difference in transmission patterns means Hantavirus does not spread as rapidly as Covid-19. The coronavirus is known to move between humans through respiratory droplets, whereas Hantavirus is generally transmitted through exposure to infected rodents. According to her, transmission can occur when a person comes into contact with urine, saliva, faeces, or dust contaminated by rats or other rodents. Because it originates from animals, the disease is classified as zoonotic.
Minsarnawati believes public anxiety about new viruses stems from the prolonged experience of the Covid-19 pandemic. The remaining collective trauma means information about new infectious diseases easily triggers public alarm, even though each virus has a different risk level and pattern of spread.
Based on data from the Health Development Policy Agency (BKPK) of the Ministry of Health, Hantavirus cases have been found in various parts of the world, including the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Indonesia itself has recorded Hantavirus cases, but the type found differs from the type with a high mortality rate in the Americas. Medically, Hantavirus is divided into two main types: Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). HFRS attacks the kidneys and is commonly found in Asia and Europe, including the type previously detected in Indonesia. HPS attacks the lungs and is more common in the Americas, with a higher mortality rate.
Recently, the public was also alarmed by news of an Indonesian citizen who was on a cruise ship with a passenger confirmed to have Hantavirus. However, after undergoing a health examination, the citizen was declared negative for infection.
Minsarnawati added that immune system condition is an important factor determining a person’s susceptibility to disease. In epidemiology, this condition is known as a susceptible host. “It could be that we both have contact with rat droppings, but I might be the one infected while the other is not because their immune system is stronger,” she said. She noted that several groups have a higher risk of exposure, including cleaning workers, waste managers, farmers, and animal laboratory workers who frequently interact with environments potentially contaminated by rodents.
Therefore, she stressed the importance of preventive measures through environmental cleanliness and self-protection when cleaning dirty areas. “The key is to maintain the cleanliness of our environment. Rats like dirty environments,” she asserted. In addition to maintaining cleanliness, the public is also advised to boost their immune systems with a healthy lifestyle, such as consuming nutritious food, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and avoiding staying up late. The public is also urged to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as high fever, headache, weakness, nausea, or diarrhoea, or have a history of contact with rats or potentially contaminated environments.
Amid the flood of information on social media, vigilance is considered important. However, the public is asked not to fall easily into panic. Maintaining personal and environmental hygiene remains the primary step in preventing various infectious diseases.