There have been multiple cases of hemorrhagic fever in Xi'an. Is it related to eating strawberries?

Recently, Xi'an has become a hot topic due to hemorrhagic fever, following the COVID-19 pandemic. The dual threat of COVID-19 and hemorrhagic fever is worrying. Some netizens even spread the news that eating strawberries can cause hemorrhagic fever.

What exactly is hemorrhagic fever? What does it have to do with eating strawberries? Let’s take a look with me today.

What is hemorrhagic fever?

Hemorrhagic fever, also known as epidemic hemorrhagic fever and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, is an acute infectious disease caused by Hantavirus, with rodents (Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegicus) as the main source of infection. It exists in many countries and regions and can occur all year round, with the two peak periods of hemorrhagic fever being March to June and October to December each year.

What are the common symptoms of infection?

The entire population is susceptible, especially those who have close contact with rodents and their excrement (farmers, residents of poor dormitory conditions, field workers, etc.). Once infected, the disease develops quickly, with fever, bleeding, and kidney damage as the main clinical symptoms. If not treated in time, it can lead to death.

Note: The early symptoms are similar to those of influenza, but more severe than influenza, with obvious "three reds" and "three pains". "Three reds" refer to redness on the face, neck, and upper chest, which looks like drunkenness; "three pains" refer to pain in the head, waist, and eye sockets. If you have a cold, fever, and similar symptoms, be alert to the occurrence of hemorrhagic fever and seek medical attention in time.

How does hemorrhagic fever occur?

It is mainly transmitted to humans by virus-carrying rodents and is difficult to transmit between people. However, if a pregnant woman has the disease and treatment is ineffective, the virus can pass through the placenta and infect the baby.

There are three main routes of transmission: respiratory tract, digestive tract and contact.

Respiratory transmission: The excrement of rodents carrying the virus forms aerosols that infect the human body through the respiratory tract.

Digestive tract transmission: ingestion of food or water contaminated by rodent excrement carrying the virus.

Contact transmission: being bitten by a virus-carrying rodent or having broken skin come into contact with virus-carrying rodent excrement.

Does it have anything to do with eating strawberries?

Normally, eating strawberries will not cause hemorrhagic fever. Unless the strawberries you eat happen to be freshly picked and are contaminated by the excrement of rodents carrying the virus, and you happen to not wash them before eating, then there is a risk of infection. So you really can't blame strawberries for hemorrhagic fever.

Note: It is recommended that you wash strawberries or other fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. In addition, when picking strawberries at a picking farm, it is best not to eat them while picking.

How to prevent hemorrhagic fever?

1. Prevent and kill rats, reduce rat density, and effectively prevent the occurrence of hemorrhagic fever from the source.

2. my country currently has vaccines to prevent hemorrhagic fever. People who have lived in areas or environments with a high incidence of hemorrhagic fever for a long time may consider getting vaccinated against hemorrhagic fever in advance.

3. Strengthen personal protection to prevent contact transmission.

Field workers should try to wear long pants, long shirts, and closed-toe outdoor shoes to prevent being bitten by rodents; individuals should try not to go to places in the wild where rodents may live, and should not eat raw, cold, or unwashed food directly (especially those that are easily contaminated by rodents).

Finally, if hemorrhagic fever infection is discovered in time, it can be controlled and treated, and the prognosis is good, so there is no need to worry too much.