Hantavirus outbreak toolbox

Hantavirus outbreak toolbox

Updated | October 2024

Welcome to the Hantavirus Outbreak toolbox

Key reference documents

  • Hantavirus (Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2021).
  • Hantavirus (Pan African Heath Organization PAHO; 2019).

Case definitions

WHO suggested outbreak case definition

Suspected case

  • A person who presents with a febrile illness (Fever > 38.5 °C [103 °F] oral) with an acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring supplemental oxygen AND bilateral diffuse infiltrates developed within 72 hours of hospitalization in a previously healthy person 
  • Unexplained illness resulting in death plus an autopsy examination demonstrating noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema without an identifiable specific cause of death
Confirmed case

A suspected case laboratory confirmed with:

  • The presence of hantavirus-specific IgM antibodies or a 4-fold or greater increase in IgG antibody titres or hantavirus-specific IgG seroconversion.
  • A positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for hantavirus RNA.
  • Positive immunohistochemical results for hantavirus antigens.

 

Data collection tools

Laboratory confirmation

Response tools and resources

Training

  • Not available

 

Other resources