‘New virus’ scare in China as man, 32, drops dead in a bus

A man from China’s Yunnan province tested positive for Hantavirus on Monday.

He died while on his way back to Shandong Province for work on a chartered bus, China’s Global Times reported.

32 other people have been tested, the report added.

Following his death, hantavirus became a trend on social media, with people panicking that it was another COVID-19 ready to cause a new pandemic.

Humans who contract the hantavirus usually come into contact with rodents that carry the virus.

“Rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk for hantavirus exposure. Even healthy individuals are at risk for HPS infection if exposed to the virus,” Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said in its website.

However, the symptoms are almost similar to coronavirus. Some of the symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, abdominal pain, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Late symptoms include lungs fill with fluid and shortness of breath.

No specific treatment other than medical care and ICU, where oxygen therapy can help with respiratory distress. The earlier the patient reaches ICU, the better it is.

Prevention–

Minimise contact with rats at home or work. Clean up properly and use pest control.

— FPJ