What is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause diverse disease syndromes in people worldwide. Infection typically occurs by breathing in virus-contaminated dust from rodent droppings. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare. Symptoms range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe renal or respiratory diseases.
Beginning
In late April and early May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) were notified of a cluster of severe and acute respiratory infections on a Dutch cruise ship (MV Hondius) cruising in the South Atlantic. There were about 150 passengers and crew members on board. The first patients developed rapidly progressing pneumonia and shock symptoms. What virus is it? Laboratory tests confirmed in early May that a hantavirus was behind the illnesses, and further studies showed it was specifically the Andes virus (ANDV). This is the only type of hantavirus known to be capable of human-to-human transmission.
Andes Virus
Andes virus (also called Andes hantavirus) is a specific type of hantavirus found mainly in South America (especially Argentina and Chile). It causes Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS or HPS), a serious and potentially life-threatening lung and heart illness. It is a zoonotic virus carried mainly by rodents. Andes virus is, however, known to spread from person to person, though usually requiring prolonged contact with a sick person.
Symptoms
The illness develops 1 to 8 weeks after exposure.
1. Early phase (flu-like, lasts a few days):
- + High fever
- + Fatigue and muscle aches (especially in large muscles like back, hips, thighs)
- + Headache, dizziness, chills
- + Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea
2. Cardiopulmonary phase (can start suddenly):
- + Shortness of breath
- + Cough
- + Fluid filling the lungs (pulmonary edema)
- + Low blood pressure, heart problems
- + Can rapidly progress to respiratory failure and shock
How serious is it?
Fatality rate: Around 35–50% in severe cases, even with hospital care. It is one of the more dangerous hantaviruses.
Many survivors recover fully with good supportive care (oxygen, breathing support, ICU), but it can worsen very quickly.
Treatment
No specific antiviral cure — treatment is supportive in hospital.