Andes Virus

How it works

Risks & contraindications

Background

Where it comes from

Highlighted claims

• The Andes virus is a hantavirus strain endemic to Argentina that differs from North American hantavirus strains. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak: MV Hondas Cruise Ship
• The Andes virus can transmit directly from person to person, unlike most hantavirus varieties. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak: MV Hondas Cruise Ship
• The Andes virus carries a mortality rate of 30–40%. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak: MV Hondas Cruise Ship
• A prior Andes virus outbreak in 2018–2019 infected 35 people and caused 11 deaths. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak: MV Hondas Cruise Ship
• Andes hantavirus is endemic to the Andes mountain range region of Chile and Argentina. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius (May 2026)
• Andes hantavirus is the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius (May 2026)
• The incubation period for Andes hantavirus ranges from 1 to 8 weeks, which is exceptionally long by infectious-disease standards. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius (May 2026)
• During acute infection, infectious ANDV is detectable in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, nasopharyngeal swabs, and urine. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius (May 2026)
• The febrile prodrome is the period of highest viral shedding and greatest risk of human-to-human transmission. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius (May 2026)
• Severity of Andes hantavirus illness correlates with the presence of viral RNA in non-blood fluids, meaning sicker patients shed more virus into secretions. — Andes Hantavirus Outbreak Aboard MV Hondius (May 2026)