Cats, Dogs, and the Transmission of Hanta Virus to Humans: Experts Settle the Debate

SadaNews - As global warnings about the spread of the Hanta virus escalate and new infections are reported in several countries, the wave of concern has shifted from the halls of health organizations into homes, where an urgent question preoccupies millions of pet owners:

While the Egyptian Ministry of Health confirms that the country currently has no reported infections, veterinary professors speak with "Al-Arabiya.net" and "Al-Hadath.net" about the issue of the "silent host", revealing scientific facts that settle the debate regarding the role of domestic animals in the chain of infection, the nature of the relationship between cats and dogs with this virus, and how to safeguard homes from any potential epidemic breaches.

Transmitted through rodents

Dr. Sara Atta Allah, head of the scientific center at the General Syndicate of Veterinarians in Egypt, stated that the Hanta virus primarily spreads through rodents, explaining that rodents can transmit the virus to some pets like cats or dogs due to direct contact with them or interaction with mice within homes or streets.

She added that cats and dogs may carry the virus after interacting with rodents, but there is currently no evidence to confirm that the Hanta virus is transmitted directly from pets to humans, asserting that the main source of infection remains rodents and their secretions.

She emphasized the importance of following preventive measures to protect pets and their owners, including preventing cats from hunting or interacting with rodents whenever possible, maintaining cleanliness in pet-raising areas, and adhering to vaccinations and regular veterinary care.

She explained that the virus does not manifest clearly in pets, as there are no direct symptoms or specific signs that reveal whether cats or dogs are infected, which makes prevention and reducing their chances of contact with rodents extremely important.

"Final host"

Dr. Sabry Zeinhom, former director of the Veterinary Medicine Directorate in Cairo, indicated that pets may be exposed to the virus through direct contact with infected rodents, but they do not constitute a source of infection transmission to humans.

He clarified that cats and dogs can carry the virus after coming into contact with mice or being in places contaminated with rodent urine or feces, yet they do not transmit the disease to humans.

He added that in this case, pets become what is known as the "final host" of the virus, meaning they may get infected or carry the virus without transmitting it to others. He pointed out that studies and research available so far have not proven direct transmission cases from cats or dogs to humans.

He noted that one of the concerns is that infected animals often do not show clear symptoms, and that also applies to rodents carrying the virus, which makes detecting the infection difficult without ongoing preventive measures. He clarified that prevention primarily relies on combating the spread of mice within homes and farms and preventing pets from interacting with or hunting rodents.

Sanitation and regular monitoring

He stressed the importance of maintaining general cleanliness in pet-raising areas, safely disposing of any waste that may attract rodents, along with regular veterinary monitoring for pets, confirming that maintaining a clean environment and minimizing the chances of cats and dogs interacting with rodents significantly reduces the likelihood of them being exposed to the virus.

Egyptian doctors had previously stated that the disease passes through two distinct phases. In the initial days, usually lasting from one to five or six days, the patient suffers from a sudden and severe rise in temperature, accompanied by chills, general fatigue, sharp muscle pain especially in the thighs, back, and shoulders, as well as headaches, severe weakness, and difficulty moving. They explained that in some cases, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea and abdominal pain may appear, which could initially confuse the diagnosis.

They added that the second phase begins with the development of the virus within the body, and here the complications vary according to the strain type. The patient may suffer from what is known as "Hanta" pulmonary syndrome, which leads to severe coughing and shortness of breath due to fluid accumulation within the lungs; the infected person may feel like they are choking or have strong pressure on their chest, a critical stage that necessitates prompt medical intervention.

They indicated that some other strains could cause hemorrhagic fever associated with kidney syndrome, where the patient suffers from severe lower back pain, severe drops in blood pressure, and clear declines in kidney functions, accompanied by reduced urination or fluid retention; some cases may even lead to internal bleeding or the appearance of blood spots on the skin due to vascular disturbances.

Source: Al-Arabiya