TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hantavirus is a potentially deadly disease that can spread to humans through airborne particles contaminated by infected rodents such as mice, rats, and bats. The virus is commonly transmitted through exposure to rodent urine, feces, or saliva, making proper cleaning and handling of contaminated areas especially important.
Rats are commonly found in residential areas, dirty places, and even in laboratories as experimental animals. The problem is that rats infected with hantavirus do not show symptoms of illness but can spread the virus. Meanwhile, humans do not have natural immunity to the hantavirus. So far, there is no cure or vaccine available to combat the transmission of hantavirus.
According to Dr. Leonardus Widyatmoko, a specialist in clinical microbiology at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital (RSHS) Bandung, there are several ways to interrupt the transmission, including avoiding risky actions, such as sweeping dry areas with rat droppings and disposing of rat carcasses carelessly.
"Safety procedures should be used, such as using disinfectants, chlorine, or alcohol, and personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks," he said during an online hantavirus awareness session on Monday, May 18, 2026. Before cleaning, ventilation should be opened for 30 minutes to allow air circulation.
According to Leonardus, at-risk workers include forestry workers potentially in contact with field rats' habitats, old building cleaning personnel, and drainage workers. The post-flood period is also considered a high-risk period for transmission. "Because after floods, rodents are forced to enter residential areas," he said.
According to the Ministry of Health, anyone of any age, race, ethnic group, and gender has the potential to be exposed to hantavirus when in contact with hantavirus-carrying rodents.
Some risky activities that may lead to hantavirus infection include opening and cleaning cabins, warehouses, barns, and long-unused garages. Then, cleaning houses, construction work, pest control, or camping in rodent-infested areas.
Preventive measures in homes or offices can be taken, such as closing holes inside or outside to prevent the entry of rats, placing rat traps to reduce their population, and protecting food or drinks from potential rodent contamination.
People infected with the hantavirus may experience different clinical manifestations depending on the type of hantavirus that infects them. In Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), patients may experience acute kidney disorders, generally caused by hantavirus types such as Hantaan, Dobrava, Saarema, Seoul, and Puumala, mostly found in Europe and Asia, including Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) can cause respiratory disorders and is generally caused by the Andes and Sin Nombre viruses, mostly found in America. It is known that the Andes virus can be transmitted among humans. Recently, the Andes virus caused the death of three passengers on a cruise ship sailing from Argentina to Spain.
Read: Hantavirus Patient at Bandung Hospital Dies After Infection
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Hantavirus Patient at Bandung Hospital Dies After Infection
17 jam lalu
Ministry of Health recorded 256 cases of hantavirus in Indonesia from 2024 to May 2026, with 23 confirmed cases spread across nine provinces.
France: Andes Virus on Cruise Ship Shows No Signs of Greater Danger
21 jam lalu
Institut Pasteur confirmed that the Andes virus detected in passengers aboard the MV Hondius matches a hantavirus strain circulating in South America.
MV Hondius Nears End of Voyage After Hantavirus Ordeal
1 hari lalu
The hantavirus-hit MV Hondius cruise ship is set to arrive in Rotterdam on Monday, where remaining crew, including two medics, will disembark.
Jakarta Monitors 3 Confirmed, 6 Suspected Hantavirus Cases
1 hari lalu
Jakarta has also designated several regional public hospitals as sentinel hospitals to provide tighter surveillance of suspected hantavirus cases.
Belarus Reports About 50 Hantavirus Cases Annually
4 hari lalu
Hantavirus is rare in Belarus, with about 50 people hospitalized each year for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by the virus.
Hantavirus Alert: Know the Symptoms and How to Protect Yourself
4 hari lalu
Hantavirus is a group of viruses commonly transmitted by rodents, especially rats. Learn about its prevention methods.
Academic Urges Tighter Rodent Control to Prevent Hantavirus
5 hari lalu
Recommended measures include routine inspections to block rats from entering homes and health facilities.
Today's Top 3 News: Nadiem Makarim's Chromebook Case, Hantavirus Outbreak
5 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
France: Cruise Ship on Lockdown Over Stomach Bug Outbreak
5 hari lalu
A stomach illness outbreak and the death of a man on board prompted authorities in Bordeaux to place a temporary disembarking ban on the ship.
WHO: No New Hantavirus Deaths Reported Since May 2
5 hari lalu
WHO says no new hantavirus deaths since May 2; global public health risk remains low.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5485282/original/038819000_1769501489-pikojerico-175__1_.jpg.jpeg)
