The repatriation process for passengers has begun, and countries are taking back and quarantining those who were on the MV Hodius cruise ship, which had set sail from Argentina to remote regions, including Antarctica.
As passengers now return to their home countries, fresh concerns have emerged around the new virus, with many comparing it to Covid-19. Both viruses affect the lungs, but they differ in how they spread and how dangerous they are. Let’s understand these two viruses and how they differ from each other.
Hantavirus vs Coronavirus: How Do They Spread?
This is the main difference between the two deadly diseases, as hantavirus is mainly spread from rodents to humans. The chances of infection are very rare, as one can get infected by inhaling particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. According to the WHO, human-to-human transmission is rare and has only been observed in cases involving specific strains.
On the other hand, coronavirus spreads rapidly among people through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and close contact, making it easier to infect others. Its easy transmission caused it to spread rapidly across the world and turn into a global pandemic.
Hantavirus vs Coronavirus: Which One Is More Contagious?
Coronavirus is more contagious as it has the capability to spread quickly within communities and across countries. It can also spread through mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals, making it much more difficult to contain.
On the other hand, hantavirus does not transmit easily between humans, making it less likely to become a pandemic. Most cases are directly linked to environmental exposure rather than human transmission.
Hantavirus vs. Coronavirus: Origin
Hantaviruses originate from wild rodents. The first recognized and distinct hantavirus, the Hantaan virus, was isolated in 1976 near the Hantan River in South Korea following outbreaks during the Korean War. These viruses are carried by specific rodent species, such as mice, rats, and voles, across the world. Humans typically become infected through contact with rodent excreta, particularly urine, droppings, or saliva.
The COVID-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Most scientific evidence points to a natural zoonotic spillover, meaning the virus was transmitted from animals to humans, likely involving wild animals sold at the Huanan Seafood Market. Although some reports and hypotheses have suggested the possibility of a lab-related incident, the prevailing scientific consensus is that the virus, SARS-CoV-2, most likely originated in bats.
Hantavirus vs Coronavirus: Symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here are some common symptoms of hantavirus and coronavirus:
Hantavirus
Incubation period: 7 to 60 days
Most Common
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle pain
Additional Symptoms
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Coronavirus
Incubation period: 2 to 14 days
Most Common
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle pain
Additional Symptoms
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell
- Runny nose
- Bloody sputum
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Hantavirus vs Coronavirus: Which Is More Dangerous?
On a case-by-case basis, hantavirus is considered more dangerous, especially when it develops into hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which carries a high fatality rate. On the other hand, coronavirus has a lower fatality rate, but it has infected a much larger population, resulting in higher deaths globally.
Hantavirus vs Coronavirus: Which Can Cause Global Outbreaks?
We have already seen how deadly COVID-19 was when it disrupted global health systems worldwide. Its high transmissibility played a vital role in turning it into a global outbreak. However, the more fatal hantavirus has a lower chance of causing a global outbreak because of its limited human-to-human transmission. This means most cases remain isolated or linked to specific environmental exposure.
