Historical hantavirus outbreaks
Hantaviruses have been recognized for decades, but most of what we know clinically comes from a handful of distinct outbreaks. This timeline summarizes the events that shaped our understanding.
- 1951–1954
Korean War — first identified HFRS outbreak
More than 3,000 UN troops developed unexplained hemorrhagic fever near the Hantan River in Korea. The virus that caused this disease, later named Hantaan virus, gave the entire family its name when it was finally isolated in 1976.
- 1993
Four Corners (US Southwest) — discovery of HPS
A cluster of unexplained, fatal respiratory illness among young, healthy Navajo adults led to the discovery of Sin Nombre virus and the recognition of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. A drought-then-rain weather pattern had caused a population boom in deer mice.
- 1995
Argentina — Andes virus identified
An outbreak in El Bolsón, Patagonia produced the first documented person-to-person transmission of any hantavirus, and led to the identification of Andes virus.
- 2012
Yosemite National Park
Ten visitors who stayed in 'Signature' tent cabins at Curry Village contracted HPS; three died. Investigation traced infections to deer-mouse contamination of double-walled tent cabin insulation.
- 2018–2019
Argentina — Epuyén outbreak
An Andes virus cluster in Epuyén, Chubut province, produced 34 confirmed cases and 11 deaths over ~5 months — one of the largest documented person-to-person hantavirus outbreaks.
- 2024
California Sierra Nevada cluster
Multiple HPS cases in Mono County, including high-profile fatalities, prompted renewed state health-department warnings about deer-mouse exposure in the eastern Sierra.