90-Second Read: I’m a Doctor Who Treated Hantavirus in the 2012 Outbreak. 5 Things People Keep Getting Wrong

However, the type involved in the Hondius outbreak, according to the World Health Organization, is the Andes virus, the only known Hantavirus to spread between people. A 2018 Hantavirus outbreak in Argentina killed 11 people after the disease spread at crowded events, leading to 34 infections. In the U.S., people who get infected with Hantavirus may progress to a life-threatening illness that causes lung damage known as Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which happened to 80% of the patients in the Yosemite outbreak, including my own. Sometimes, getting a deadly infection may simply start with bad luck, being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Here's what I learned from the experience, and what I think much of the public is misunderstanding about the ongoing Hantavirus outbreak.

Public health officials emphasize Hantavirus rarely spreads between people. The symptoms of Hantavirus may depend on where in the world a person is infected. Much like the ongoing battle with measles, Hantavirus presents another unique hurdle: Many doctors have never seen it. Respiratory decline in Hantavirus patients frequently requires intensive care because they often need a ventilator. If you suspect you may have Hantavirus, it's crucial to seek care at a facility that has access to a ventilator and ECMO.

With Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills and nausea, can start one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent. Then, four to 10 days after this phase of illness, people develop more severe respiratory symptoms, like chest pain, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs. HPS kills approximately a 38% of people due to respiratory symptoms. People may also discount their symptoms until the second phase of illness develops, when the infection has already progressed in the body to the lungs and kidneys. It is typically contracted when people accidentally inhale the virus found in rodent waste during routine activities like sweeping, cleaning infested spaces or sleeping around contaminated areas.

The main thing I've learned from treating Hantavirus is that safety starts before you travel. Check for recent local outbreaks, see if other recent travelers have reported issues, and learn the specific steps to keep yourself safe. While this type of spread is extremely rare, it can occur through close, prolonged contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, such as sharing a bed or living in cramped quarters, like on a cruise ship. Like the patient I treated, many continue their daily routines, only seeking help once the virus attacks their lungs and makes every breath seem like a struggle. So even when your diagnosis is still uncertain, tell your doctor of any recent travel history and pest or animal exposure, even if it may not seem relevant.