Infection occurs through inhalation of virus particles or through a bite. Cases of hantavirus disease occur when rodent populations are increased and when this population is heavily infected by the virus. It lives in leaftree woods with scrub vegetation under the trees, by preference on the edge of the forest, in parks and can occasionally enter human habitats during winter. In Belgium the area between Sambre and Meuse and the regions Thuin, Philippeville, Dinant, Liege and Luxemburg are endemic for the disease. The symptoms occur rather suddenly, about 1 to 4 weeks after contact with the virus.
Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and biochemical tests.
The diagnosis is confirmed by detection of antibodies to the virus in a blood sample. In the majority of the cases, symptomatic treatment of fever and headache is sufficient. Usually the patient cures within 2 to 3 weeks. Persons that were affected by the hantavirus disease, are immune for the virus. Re-opening places that have been closed for a long time.