Species
Andes virus (ANDV)
The Patagonian hantavirus — and the only one with documented person-to-person transmission. Andes virus is responsible for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome across southern Argentina and Chile, and for the 2026 Antarctic cruise-ship cluster.
Quick facts
- Family / genus
- Hantaviridae / Orthohantavirus
- Reservoir
- Long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus)
- Range
- Argentina, Chile (especially Patagonia); also Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil
- Disease
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS / HCPS)
- Transmission
- Aerosolized rodent excreta and documented person-to-person spread
- Case-fatality
- ~30–40%
- Vaccine
- None licensed
Why Andes virus is different
All other hantaviruses spread from rodents to humans only. Andes virus has repeatedly demonstrated human-to-human transmission, and it changes how outbreaks are managed: contacts are quarantined, healthcare workers wear N95 masks, and shared-cabin clusters (cruise ships, family homes, social gatherings) become an explicit concern.
Epuyén, 2018–2019 — the textbook outbreak
An NEJM 2020 study documented 34 confirmed cases and 11 deaths in Epuyén, Chubut, Argentina. The outbreak began with a single rodent introduction and was amplified by three "super-spreaders" at social events. Reproductive number was 2.12 before isolation measures and 0.96 after. Most secondary transmission occurred on the first febrile day.
2026 — Antarctic cruise-ship cluster
In April–May 2026, WHO reported 7 Andes-virus cases / 3 deaths aboard an expedition vessel that departed Ushuaia, Argentina. US health agencies traced disembarked passengers in California and Arizona. More on the cruise outbreak →
Symptoms & treatment
Clinical course is the same as other HPS — flu-like prodrome, then sudden non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and shock. Treatment is supportive ICU plus early ECMO; no specific antiviral. The person-to-person dimension means isolation precautions are standard once Andes virus is suspected. See Syndromes for clinical detail.
FAQ
Is Andes virus contagious between people?
Yes — uniquely among hantaviruses. Direct close contact during the early febrile phase is the highest-risk window.
Where is Andes virus found?
Patagonia and other parts of Argentina and Chile; sporadic cases in Bolivia, Paraguay and southern Brazil.
How are Andes-virus outbreaks managed differently?
With contact tracing, isolation of suspected cases, and respiratory PPE for caregivers — closer to a low-transmissibility respiratory pathogen than other hantaviruses.
Is there a vaccine for Andes virus?
No licensed vaccine. DNA and mRNA candidates exist in development.