By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported a new hantavirus case in a male in his 40s with no travel history.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

The case was bitten by a rat on July 25 and returned home after seeking medical treatment on the same day. On July 26, he saw a doctor again and was admitted to the hospital with a fever.

The diagnosis of hantavirus was confirmed. The case has since been discharged from the hospital.

According to statistics from the Department of Disease Control, as of August 12 this year there have been 8 cases of Hantavirus syndrome in Taiwan–4 cases in Kaohsiung City, 1 case each in Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taichung City, and Changhua County–which is higher than the same period from 2017 to 2020 (0, 1, 1, and 7 cases respectively).

According to the Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever is a zoonotic disease. Humans are at risk of infection if they breathe in or come into contact with dust and objects contaminated with mouse feces and urine, or are bitten by rodents carrying the virus. The post-incubation period is several days to two months. The main symptoms are sudden and persistent fever, conjunctival congestion, weakness, back pain, headache, abdominal pain, anorexia, vomiting, etc., bleeding symptoms appear on the 3rd to 6th day, followed by proteinuria, Hypotension or oliguria, some patients will experience shock or mild nephropathy, and may progress to acute renal failure. The condition can be improved after treatment.