Crossref · Wavefront propagation in a hyperbolic model of hantavirus infection · 1s agoCrossref · Could bradykinin pathway inhibition change the course of severe hantavirus disease? · 1s agoCrossref · Outbreak at Sea: The MV Hondius Hantavirus Cluster as a Sentinel for Global Pandemic Readiness · 1s agoCrossref · Microbe snapshots: Hantavirus (Sin Nombre) · 1s agoCrossref · Hantavirus on the rise: clinical, virological, immunological, and public health perspectives · 1s agoCrossref · Pregnancy and hantavirus infection: maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes − a systematic review · 1s agoCrossref · Emerging threat of hantavirus infection: Public health challenges during an international cruise ship outbreak · 1s agoCrossref · “Hantavirus at sea: Why cruise ships must be ready for animal-borne disease.” · 1s agoCrossref · Wavefront propagation in a hyperbolic model of hantavirus infection · 1s agoCrossref · Could bradykinin pathway inhibition change the course of severe hantavirus disease? · 1s agoCrossref · Outbreak at Sea: The MV Hondius Hantavirus Cluster as a Sentinel for Global Pandemic Readiness · 1s agoCrossref · Microbe snapshots: Hantavirus (Sin Nombre) · 1s agoCrossref · Hantavirus on the rise: clinical, virological, immunological, and public health perspectives · 1s agoCrossref · Pregnancy and hantavirus infection: maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes − a systematic review · 1s agoCrossref · Emerging threat of hantavirus infection: Public health challenges during an international cruise ship outbreak · 1s agoCrossref · “Hantavirus at sea: Why cruise ships must be ready for animal-borne disease.” · 1s ago
Strain · South America· Human-to-human

Andes virus

Andes orthohantavirus is the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission, requiring close prolonged contact.

HPSCFR ~35%140 reported cases (12 mo baseline)
CFR
35%
Cases (12mo)
140
Syndrome
HPS

Andes orthohantavirus is the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission, requiring close prolonged contact. It causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with case fatality typically 30–40%. Reservoir: long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus).

CASE FATALITY
35%
REPORTED CASES (12 MO)
140
SYNDROME
HPS
RESERVOIR
Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (long-tailed pygmy rice rat)

Active and recent clusters

  • MV Hondius · moored off Cabo Verde — 7 cases, 3 deaths (CFR 42.8%) · WHO DON599, 4 May 2026. Dutch-flagged expedition cruise with 147 aboard (88 passengers + 59 crew, 23 nationalities). Seven cases (two PCR-confirmed + five suspected) including three deaths. Andes hantavirus confirmed; vessel currently moored off Cabo Verde and headed for the Canary Islands. Affected states: Cabo Verde, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, United Kingdom.
  • Netherlands · contact tracing — 0 cases, 0 deaths (CFR 0%) · WHO DON599, 4 May 2026. Netherlands is among the five affected states per WHO DON599 (multiple Dutch nationals were aboard the MV Hondius). National IHR Focal Point coordinating contact tracing of disembarked passengers and evacuees.
  • Spain · Canary Islands disembarkation — 0 cases, 0 deaths (CFR 0%) · WHO DON599, 4 May 2026. Spain is among the five WHO-named affected states; the MV Hondius is heading to the Canary Islands for disembarkation. Spanish authorities preparing port-of-entry response and contact tracing.
  • South Africa · Johannesburg — 1 cases, 1 deaths (CFR 100%) · WHO DON599, 4 May 2026. Disembarked Dutch passenger admitted to a Johannesburg hospital where she died. South Africa NICD coordinating with WHO and the National IHR Focal Point.
  • Argentina · Patagonia (Andes-virus zone) — 70 cases, 22 deaths (CFR 31%) · Annual pattern; PAHO 2025 epidemiological alert. Argentina reports approximately 60–110 confirmed HPS cases per year, concentrated in southwestern Patagonia (Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén) and the northwestern provinces. Argentina is the only country with confirmed person-to-person Andes transmission. Numbers shown reflect the Argentine Ministerio de Salud annual baseline; current weekly counts available from the boletín integrado.
  • Chile · Aysén / Los Lagos — 65 cases, 22 deaths (CFR 33%) · Annual pattern; PAHO 2025 alert + ISP weekly bulletin. Chile reports approximately 50–80 confirmed Andes hantavirus cases annually with seasonal peaks in summer (December–March). Aysén and Los Lagos consistently report the highest incidence per capita. Annual baseline; verify current week at ISP Chile.
  • Cabo Verde · Praia harbour — 0 cases, 0 deaths (CFR 0%) · WHO DON599, 4 May 2026. MV Hondius is currently moored off Praia (Cabo Verde) under a WHO-coordinated maritime quarantine. Two evacuees airlifted off; no community transmission detected. Cabo Verde Ministry of Health and IHR Focal Point coordinating with WHO AFRO.
  • Uruguay · agricultural belt — 12 cases, 4 deaths (CFR 33%) · Annual pattern; PAHO 2025 alert. Uruguay reports approximately 5–20 confirmed HPS cases annually with substantial year-to-year variation. Cases tend to occur in agricultural workers and travelers to grain-storage facilities.

Frequently asked

What does Andes virus cause?

Andes virus causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) with case fatality typically around 35%. Patients progress from a flu-like prodrome to acute respiratory distress.

Is Andes virus contagious between people?

Yes — uniquely among hantaviruses, Andes virus has documented person-to-person transmission, but only during close prolonged contact such as household members or healthcare workers without PPE.

Where does Andes virus circulate?

Andes virus circulates primarily in South America. Its main reservoir is Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (long-tailed pygmy rice rat).

Related

Disclaimer. Strain pages are for general information. Diagnosis and treatment decisions must be made with a qualified clinician.