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What is it?

What is hantavirus?

A quick guide based on information published by WHO, the CDC, ECDC and PAHO.

What it is

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses (family Hantaviridae) transmitted primarily by rodents. In humans they can cause two serious diseases: hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), more common in the Americas, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), more common in Europe and Asia.

How it spreads

  • Inhalation of aerosols formed from urine, saliva or feces of infected rodents.
  • Direct contact with live or dead rodents, their excreta or contaminated materials.
  • Bites from infected rodents (uncommon).
  • For Andes virus (South America), person-to-person transmission has been documented — exceptional within hantaviruses.

Hantavirus is not transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or domestic animals such as dogs or cats.

Symptoms

The usual incubation period is 1 to 8 weeks. Initial symptoms are non-specific and resemble flu:

  • High fever, chills.
  • Severe muscle pain (myalgia), particularly in thighs, hips and back.
  • Headache, fatigue, dizziness.
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

After 4–10 days, the severe phase may appear:

  • HCPS: progressive shortness of breath, dry cough, pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock.
  • HFRS: hypotension, acute renal failure and hemorrhagic manifestations.

If you have compatible symptoms after possible rodent exposure, go to the emergency room. Early treatment significantly improves prognosis.

Prevention

  • Eliminate rodents and entry routes in homes, warehouses and rural shelters.
  • Ventilate at least 30 minutes before entering closed rural buildings.
  • Do not sweep or vacuum dry areas with rodent presence: spray with water and disinfectant first.
  • Use gloves and a mask when handling wood, firewood or materials that may have been in contact with rodents.
  • Store food in airtight containers.

Treatment

There is no specific widely-approved antiviral treatment. Management is supportive: oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic support and, in HFRS cases, hemodialysis if renal failure occurs. Early diagnosis and care are critical.

Learn more

Always consult official sources for clinical information and updated recommendations. See the full list on our sources page.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have symptoms or suspect exposure, consult a healthcare professional or call emergency services.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Verified, cited answers to the most common questions about the outbreak and the disease.

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses (Hantaviridae) transmitted primarily by rodents. In humans they can cause two serious diseases: hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), more common in the Americas, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), more common in Europe and Asia.

How is hantavirus transmitted?

Mainly by inhalation of aerosols formed from urine, saliva or feces of infected rodents. Also by direct contact with live or dead rodents, or their excreta. With Andes virus (South America), person-to-person transmission has been documented — exceptional within hantaviruses.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

Incubation period of 1 to 8 weeks. Initial flu-like symptoms: high fever, severe muscle pain (especially in thighs, hips and back), headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. After 4–10 days the severe phase may appear: progressive shortness of breath (HCPS) or hypotension and acute renal failure (HFRS).

Is hantavirus transmitted between people?

Generally no. The documented exception is Andes virus in South America, which has shown person-to-person transmission in close, prolonged contacts. This is central to the MV Hondius cruise cluster (2026).

How can hantavirus be prevented?

Eliminate rodents and their entry routes in homes, warehouses and rural shelters. Ventilate for at least 30 minutes before entering closed rural buildings. Do not sweep or vacuum dry areas with rodent presence; spray with water and disinfectant (1:10 bleach) first. Wear N95/FFP2 mask, gloves and goggles when handling firewood or materials that may have been in contact with rodents.

Is there treatment for hantavirus?

There is no widely-approved specific antiviral. Management is supportive: oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic support and, in HFRS cases, hemodialysis if renal failure occurs. Early diagnosis and care are critical to improve prognosis.

Is hantavirus deadly?

HCPS lethality usually exceeds 30%, reaching 40–50% in some Andes virus outbreaks. HFRS has lower lethality (1–15% depending on subtype). Early treatment significantly improves survival.

Who is at risk?

People with rodent exposure in rural areas, farmers, forestry workers, those cleaning cabins or closed storage areas after long absences, and travelers to endemic zones. In the MV Hondius cluster, exposure occurred during a bird-watching excursion in South America.