Hantaviruses in the Old and New World

Publisher Summary Hantavirus is a genus in the Bunyaviridae family, comprising more than 30 different hantavirus (HTV) species. HTV is transmitted to humans by rodent excretions and aerosols thereof, consisting of infectious respiratory and urinary droplets from apparently healthy rodent carriers. Infected rodents excrete infectious virus in saliva, urine, faeces, and from their lungs, for the duration of their lives. Person-to-person transmission of HTV appears to be extremely rare. There are no effective treatments for HTV infections except ribavirin, a nucleoside analogue, and that should be given only early and intravenously in the clinical course. Thus, its use is limited to quickly recognized (for example, during an epidemic) and severe forms of disease.