Hantavirus in New Mexico.
New Mexico is the historical epicenter of US hantavirus surveillance. The 1993 Four Corners outbreak that introduced Sin Nombre virus to clinical medicine was centered on the Navajo Nation in San Juan and McKinley counties. New Mexico continues to lead the United States in cumulative HPS cases per capita, averaging 4–6 confirmed cases annually with strong year-on-year variation tied to El Niño cycles. The New Mexico Department of Health publishes weekly counts and operates a hantavirus hotline for clinicians.
Frequently asked
How many hantavirus cases has New Mexico reported?
New Mexico has reported 4 confirmed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases year-to-date in 2026, against a 5-year average of 4.2 per year. Case counts vary year-on-year with rodent population cycles.
What rodent carries hantavirus in New Mexico?
Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Pinyon–juniper and chaparral habitats above 5,000 ft elevation; deer-mouse populations swell after wet winters.
Which strain causes hantavirus in New Mexico?
Sin Nombre virus is the dominant hantavirus strain in New Mexico. It causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) with case fatality typically 30–40%.
Related
Disclaimer. State case counts reflect what CDC NNDSS publishes. The state health department is the authoritative real-time source.