The hantavirus, transmitted via rodents, recently caused four deaths in the U.S. Symptoms initially include fatigue and fever, progressing to severe respiratory complications. Prevention focuses on reducing exposure to rodent urine and droppings. As per a research study, the first hantavirus isolate to be cultured, Thottapalayam virus, is the only indigenous isolate from India, isolated from an insectivore in 1964 in Vellore, South India.