The Hantavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know

June 11, 2026

Closeup of Hantavirus on a microscope slide

A rare but serious respiratory illness has made headlines in recent years. Hantavirus is a group of roughly 20 viruses, most of which are spread by infected animals. But one strain, the Andes virus, can spread between humans. Amy Edwards, MD, an infectious disease specialist at University Hospitals, explains what hantavirus is, why the Andes strain is different and how concerned the general public should be.

What Is Hantavirus?

Most hantaviruses are contracted through direct contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, nesting materials or saliva, typically in rural settings, outdoor buildings or barns. In the United States, hantavirus cases are most common in the western and southwestern states, where deer mice and other rodent carriers of the virus are prevalent. According to the CDC, a total of 890 cases of hantavirus disease were reported in the U.S. from 1993 to 2023.

There are many strains of hantavirus. The Sin Nombre virus likely caused the death of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, in New Mexico in early 2025. Another more dangerous strain, the Andes virus, caused a cruise ship outbreak in 2026. The Andes virus is mainly found in parts of South America, particularly Argentina and Chile.

“The Andes virus is a type of hantavirus that causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS),” explains Dr. Edwards. HPS is a severe respiratory illness that affects how the heart and lungs work together to deliver oxygen to the body. “Unlike other strains, it can be spread between people.” It has a mortality rate of approximately 40 percent, making it one of the more serious viral illnesses. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment. Care is focused on supporting respiratory and cardiovascular function, which in severe cases may require assisted breathing or intensive care.

Is Andes Virus the next COVID?

“The Andes virus is the only known strain of hantavirus that can potentially spread from person to person,” Dr. Edwards says. Some have wondered whether the virus could be the next COVID-19. The short answer is no.

Nearly all hantavirus cases in the U.S. result from rodent exposure, not human transmission. Unlike COVID-19, which spreads easily through respiratory droplets in everyday interactions, Andes virus requires very close, prolonged contact for it to spread from one person to another.

This explains the outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship in May 2026, where passengers were in close proximity with one another. The CDC confirmed that no cases of Andes virus were identified in the United States as a result of the outbreak, and that the risk to the general public remains extremely low.

“Most people who are exposed to a sick individual do not get ill,” says Dr. Edwards. “Casual contact, even with someone who may have been exposed to hantavirus, is not enough to put you at risk.”

Symptoms: What to Watch For

Despite the low risk of transmission, it’s helpful to know the signs and symptoms of hantavirus in case of exposure. HPS begins like many viral illnesses and can be difficult to identify early on. Common symptoms include:

Fever
Fatigue and body aches
Headache
Chills

“In the early days, symptoms are similar to any other viral illness,” Dr. Edwards notes. What sets HPS apart is what comes next:

A rapid escalation to severe respiratory distress
Fluid in the lungs
Low blood pressure
Cardiovascular problems

Those at highest risk of serious illness are people who already have cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, since hantavirus pulmonary syndrome specifically targets those systems.

HPS progression can happen quickly, which is why knowing if you’ve been exposed to the virus is so critical to diagnosis. “The only way to diagnose hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in someone who has symptoms and is getting sicker is to identify a known exposure,” Dr. Edwards explains. If you develop flu-like symptoms after potential rodent exposure or after close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of Andes virus, seek medical attention and tell your doctor about the exposure.

How to Prevent Hantavirus

For most people in the United States, hantavirus prevention comes down to rodent awareness, particularly if you spend time in rural settings or around structures that may harbor mice or other small rodents. Precautions to take include:

Avoid direct contact with rodents, their droppings, urine or nesting materials.
When cleaning areas that may contain rodent droppings – attics, barns, cabins or storage sheds – wet the area with a disinfectant first rather than sweeping or vacuuming, which can release particles into the air.
Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning potentially contaminated spaces.
Seal entry points to prevent rodents from entering your home or outdoor buildings.

For people traveling to Argentina, Chile or other parts of South America where the Andes virus is more common, the CDC recommends awareness of rodent exposure risks and avoiding contact with wild rodents or their habitats.

“The situation with the Andes virus and the cruise ship was very unique,” Dr. Edwards adds. “Given that this virus is less contagious than something like COVID-19, I don't think there’s a great cause for concern, even for those who travel regularly.”