What is Hantavirus That Killed Jin Haqman’s Wife?

The hantavirus, mentioned in thousands of posts worldwide over the last 24 hours as it killed the wife of actor Jin Haqman, is a pathogen transmitted to humans primarily through contact with infected rodent excretions or contaminated dust. While rare, this virus can also spread via bites or scratches from infected rodents, though this is uncommon. It’s important to note that hantavirus isn’t a single virus but rather a family of viruses with varying geographical distributions across the globe, causing different clinical diseases. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), hundreds of Europeans are infected annually by hantaviruses. In 2023 alone, nearly 1,900 cases were recorded in 19 EU/EEA countries, with over 60% reported in Finland and Germany. Greece reported one case, while three deaths occurred in Estonia, Hungary, and Slovakia. The virus primarily causes three syndromes: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), Epidemic Nephropathy, and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Symptoms vary depending on the specific virus involved, ranging from mild to severe. Prevention involves avoiding contact with rodent excreta and cleaning contaminated areas properly.