What is a hantavirus? Symptoms, treatments, prevention and how it spreads

An illustration of a blue translucent spiky sphere of a hantavirus molecule, with a 3D strand of DNA at the center. All in front of a blue background.

Disease name: Hantavirus disease

Affected populations: Hantavirus disease is an uncommon but potentially deadly infection caused by a family of viruses called hantaviruses. These viruses are found worldwide and are typically carried and spread by rodents, such as rats and mice. Different types of hantaviruses are associated with specific rodent species, which can carry the viruses without overt signs of illness.