Hello. I'm Confused About The Hantavirus . When I Looked

Posted on Wed, 1 Apr 2020

Question: Hello. I'm confused about the hantavirus. When I looked for answers for how long the Hantavirus lives in mouse feces, urine and saliva, I got answers ranging from a few days to a week. But I also came across something called sin nombre virus that may last longer outside the host mouse. My main question is this. Is sin nombre virus different than hanta virus? and most importantly, how long does sin nombre virus live outside the host mouse?

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It lives less than one week outside the rodent body.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
“Sin Nombre” virus is a subspecies of Hanta virus family. There are many species of Hantavirus and sin Nombre is one among them.
The transmission is by rodent excreta and it stays few days in the rodent excreta usually less than one week. But if exposed to direct sun light, it will get destroyed and stays only few hours.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (14 hours later)

So, just to be clear. The sin nombre species of hantavirus only lasts for one week in urine, feces and saliva of the host mouse?

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Maximum of one week generally.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It last for less than one week generally.
If exposed to direct sunlight, the life will be shorter.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (2 hours later)

Can you please tell me what this passage from the CDC means? Are they saying that the virus can live for 3 to 8 weeks outside the host mouse?

Hantaviruses do not cause overt illness in their reservoir hosts. Although infected rodents shed virus in saliva, urine, and feces for many weeks or months or for life, the quantity of virus shed can be at its greatest approximately 3-8 weeks after infection.

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Given.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You can read the sentence carefully and understand that the maximum viral load in the host(rodent) excreta will be after 3 to 8 weeks of infection. It does not say that the virus lives 3 to 8 weeks outside the body.
Hope it is clear.
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad