India has documented cases of hantavirus, but according to Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, a leading epidemiologist, the variant present in the country causes milder symptoms compared to the Andes strain, which has a 40% mortality rate. The Indian strain leads to a haemorrhagic fever associated with renal syndrome, with mortality rates estimated at 1-10%. Despite widespread exposure, with antibody studies showing that up to 10% of high-risk populations have been exposed, severe clinical cases remain rare. Dr. Gangakhedkar attributes this to the milder nature of the Indian strain and emphasizes that no human-to-human transmission has been reported. He also notes that climate change is increasing the likelihood of zoonotic diseases as animals migrate closer to human habitats in search of resources. India has established a robust health surveillance system to monitor emerging threats, and citizens are advised to adhere to basic hygiene practices to mitigate risks of zoonotic infections.