What is hantavirus?

In almost all cases, no. Most hantaviruses spread from rodents to humans via inhaled aerosols of infected urine, droppings, or saliva. The Andes virus, found in southern South America, is the only strain with documented person-to-person transmission. (Source: CDC, WHO.)

Early symptoms typically appear 1–8 weeks after exposure and resemble flu: fever, severe muscle aches, fatigue, headache, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Within 4–10 days the disease can progress rapidly to severe respiratory distress (HPS) or kidney failure (HFRS). (Source: CDC.)

Diagnosis relies on serological testing (IgM and IgG ELISA) or PCR. Because early symptoms mimic flu or COVID-19, doctors look for known exposure to rodents or recent travel to endemic regions. (Source: CDC, ECDC.)

There is no specific antiviral treatment approved for hantavirus disease. Care is supportive: oxygen therapy, fluid management, and intensive care including mechanical ventilation or dialysis where needed. Early hospitalisation improves outcomes. (Source: CDC.)

It depends on the strain. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) caused by Sin Nombre virus has a case fatality rate of around 36% in the US. Andes virus is similarly severe (~25–40%). HFRS caused by Puumala virus is much milder (<0.5% mortality). (Source: CDC, ECDC.)

Reduce rodent contact: seal entry points in homes and outbuildings, store food in rodent-proof containers, and use traps. Before cleaning rodent-infested areas, ventilate for 30 minutes, wet droppings with disinfectant rather than sweeping, wear gloves and an N95/FFP2 mask, and double-bag waste. (Source: CDC cleanup guidelines.)

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged expedition vessel, departed Ushuaia (Argentina) on 1 April 2026 with 147 people on board. Three deaths and eight cases (three lab-confirmed) of suspected hantavirus were reported between late April and early May 2026. The Andes strain has been confirmed in at least one disembarked passenger. WHO assesses the risk to the general public as low. (Source: WHO, Oceanwide Expeditions, CNN, Al Jazeera.)

Hantaviruses are not airborne in the way respiratory viruses such as influenza or SARS-CoV-2 are. The Andes strain is the only one with documented person-to-person transmission, and even then, transmission requires close prolonged contact. WHO has stated the public risk from the MV Hondius outbreak is low. (Source: WHO statements, May 2026.)

No vaccine is currently licensed in Europe or North America. Inactivated-virus vaccines for Hantaan and Seoul viruses are licensed in South Korea and China. Several candidate vaccines for Andes and Sin Nombre viruses are in clinical or preclinical development. (Source: WHO.)

Hantaviruses are found on every inhabited continent. Major distribution: Sin Nombre virus (Americas, North), Andes virus (Argentina/Chile), Puumala virus (Northern Europe), Hantaan and Seoul viruses (Asia and worldwide via brown rats), Dobrava-Belgrade (Balkans). (Source: WHO, CDC, ECDC.)

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) primarily attacks the lungs and is caused by New World hantaviruses (Americas). Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) primarily affects the kidneys and is caused by Old World hantaviruses (Europe, Asia). HPS is generally more lethal. (Source: CDC.)

For most travellers, no. WHO and major travel-health authorities currently advise standard precautions, not cancellation. Avoid contact with wild rodents, do not enter rodent-infested cabins or sheds without ventilation and PPE, and follow local health advice. (Source: WHO, CDC traveller health.)