What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of single-stranded RNA viruses (genus Orthohantavirus) that circulate in rodents and can cause severe disease in humans. Unlike most respiratory viruses, they do not generally spread from person to person — humans are infected through contact with rodent excreta or, less commonly, rodent bites.

Two main human syndromes

• Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) — caused by New World hantaviruses (Sin Nombre virus in North America, Andes virus in South America). High mortality (~38%); presents with fever, muscle aches, and rapid-onset respiratory failure.
• Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) — caused by Old World hantaviruses (Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala, Dobrava). Lower mortality but causes fever, hemorrhage, and acute kidney injury. Endemic in Russia, China, Korea, and parts of Europe.

Where it occurs

HPS is concentrated in the Americas, especially the western and southwestern United States, Canada, and southern South America (Argentina, Chile, Brazil). HFRS is widespread across Eurasia, with the highest case counts in China and Korea. See the live map for current signals.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment approved in the United States. Care is supportive: oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and ICU monitoring for HPS; fluid management and dialysis if needed for HFRS. Early recognition and ICU admission improve survival.

Read more: Symptoms · Transmission · Prevention · Historical outbreaks