Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Hantavirus: How Andes Strain Spreads Between Humans; Why It’s Not Another Pandemic

While the confirmation of the Andes strain of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/hantavirus-israel-confirms-1st-case-as-uk-spain-probe-suspected-infections-should-you-be-worried-article-154278369" data-type="tilCustomLink">hantavirus </a> behind the outbreak aboard the cruise ship <span>MV Hondius</span> in the South Atlantic has raised significant concerns of human-to-human transmission, experts from the International <span>Hantavirus</span> Society, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that the situation does not raise the risk of a pandemic. 

So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths. The WHO has also confirmed that six cases have tested positive for the <span>Andes virus</span>, which can spread from person to person, through PCR testing. 

The International Hantavirus Society, in a statement, warned that the virus differs significantly from most other hantaviruses because it can spread between people.  

Founded in 2001, the Hantavirus Society is a global organization of scientists, clinicians, and researchers focused on studying hantaviruses, including their ecology, pathogenesis, and prevention.  

“The virus on board the MV Hondius is the Andes strain of hantavirus. It is serious,” said the WHO DG in an open statement on the social media platform X. 

However, the WHO and the members of the Hantavirus Society maintained that the current outbreak is not another COVID-19 outbreak.

So, first, let us understand all about the Andes Virus.

The Andes virus is a rare but highly dangerous pathogen of hantavirus, found primarily in Argentina and Chile. It is the only type of hantavirus known to man to spread among humans. 

Unlike many hantaviruses seen in Europe, Asia, and North America, which are typically transmitted from infected rodents to humans, the Andes virus has repeatedly shown evidence of person-to-person spread. 

As per experts, transmission usually occurs in situations involving prolonged or close contact. But how close is a question that has been recurring. The Hantavirus Society answers this. 

“Over the past decades, multiple outbreak investigations, household clusters, nosocomial events, and genomic analyses have provided convincing evidence that ANDV can be transmitted between individuals under specific close-contact conditions. These may include household exposure, intimate contact, caregiving without suitable personal protective equipment, and prolonged exposure in poorly ventilated or crowded settings,” it said. 

Pointing out decades of outbreak investigations, hospital clusters, and genetic studies, experts emphasized: “Human-to-human transmission of Andes virus should no longer be considered hypothetical”.  

The scientists stressed that current evidence does <em>not</em> suggest the virus spreads easily through casual community interaction in the way diseases like measles, influenza, or COVID-19 do.

<strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/hantavirus-israel-confirms-1st-case-as-uk-spain-probe-suspected-infections-should-you-be-worried-article-154278369" data-type="tilCustomLink">Hantavirus Outbreak: How MV Hondius Passengers Will Be Screened And Evacuated</a>

<h2>Andes Virus: High Fatality Rate A Concern</h2>

But the Andes virus is associated with <span>hantavirus pulmonary syndrome</span> (HPS) — a severe respiratory illness that can rapidly become fatal. Reported fatality rates range from 20% to 40%, depending on the outbreak setting, quality of medical care, and surveillance capacity.

Recent surveillance data highlight the seriousness of the disease: 

<ul><li>Argentina reported 86 confirmed hantavirus cases in 2025, including 28 deaths.  </li><li>Chile reported 35 confirmed cases, including 7 deaths.  </li></ul>Although annual case numbers remain relatively low, experts caution that this mainly reflects the rarity of exposure to infected rodents — not the absence of transmission risk once a human infection occurs.

Hantavirus Outbreak In Cruise Ship: Top FAQs Answered #hantavirus

<h2>Why Continuous Monitoring Is Important?</h2>

The first major indication of person-to-person transmission emerged during the 1996 El Bolsón/Esquel outbreak. More recently, the 2018–2019 Epuyén outbreak infected 34 people after a single index case attended crowded social gatherings while symptomatic. 

Strict public health interventions — including isolation, quarantine, and active contact tracing — reduced transmission.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/hantavirus-israel-confirms-1st-case-as-uk-spain-probe-suspected-infections-should-you-be-worried-article-154278369" data-type="tilCustomLink">Hantavirus: Israel Confirms 1st Case as UK, Spain Probe Suspected Infections; Should You Be Worried?</a>

The Hantavirus Society noted that a confined environment aboard the MV <em>Hondius</em> means that passengers and crew may still be within the virus’s incubation period.

The scientists thus warned, "A negative <span>PCR test</span> shortly after exposure does not necessarily rule out future infection.” They recommend “ongoing monitoring, repeat testing where necessary, and antibody testing for close contacts”.

Experts are also examining whether transmission could occur during early or minimally symptomatic stages, rather than only after obvious illness begins.

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While the confirmation of the Andes strain of hantavirus  behind the outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius in the South Atlantic has raised significant concerns of human-to-human transmission, experts from the International Hantavirus Society, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that the situation does not raise the risk of a pandemic. So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths. The WHO has also confirmed that six cases have tested positive for the Andes virus, which can spread from person to person, through PCR testing.  The International Hantavirus Society, in a statement, warned that the virus differs significantly from most other hantaviruses because it can spread between people.   Founded in 2001, the Hantavirus Society is a global organization of scientists, clinicians, and researchers focused on studying hantaviruses, including their ecology, pathogenesis, and prevention.   “The virus on board the MV Hondius is the Andes strain of hantavirus. It is serious,” said the WHO DG in an open statement on the social media platform X. However, the WHO and the members of the Hantavirus Society maintained that the current outbreak is not another COVID-19 outbreak.      A la gente de Tenerife,Mi nombre es Tedros, y ejerzo como Director General de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, el organismo de las Naciones Unidas responsable de la salud pública mundial. No es habitual que escriba directamente a la gente de una sola comunidad, pero hoy… pic.twitter.com/ouRuVDawks&mdash; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 9, 2026 ]]>  So, first, let us understand all about the Andes Virus.What Is Andes Virus  The Andes virus is a rare but highly dangerous pathogen of hantavirus, found primarily in Argentina and Chile. It is the only type of hantavirus known to man to spread among humans.  Unlike many hantaviruses seen in Europe, Asia, and North America, which are typically transmitted from infected rodents to humans, the Andes virus has repeatedly shown evidence of person-to-person spread. As per experts, transmission usually occurs in situations involving prolonged or close contact. But how close is a question that has been recurring. The Hantavirus Society answers this. “Over the past decades, multiple outbreak investigations, household clusters, nosocomial events, and genomic analyses have provided convincing evidence that ANDV can be transmitted between individuals under specific close-contact conditions. These may include household exposure, intimate contact, caregiving without suitable personal protective equipment, and prolonged exposure in poorly ventilated or crowded settings,” it said. Pointing out decades of outbreak investigations, hospital clusters, and genetic studies, experts emphasized: “Human-to-human transmission of Andes virus should no longer be considered hypothetical”.  The scientists stressed that current evidence does not suggest the virus spreads easily through casual community interaction in the way diseases like measles, influenza, or COVID-19 do. Also Read: Hantavirus Outbreak: How MV Hondius Passengers Will Be Screened And EvacuatedAndes Virus: High Fatality Rate A ConcernBut the Andes virus is associated with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) — a severe respiratory illness that can rapidly become fatal. Reported fatality rates range from 20% to 40%, depending on the outbreak setting, quality of medical care, and surveillance capacity. Recent surveillance data highlight the seriousness of the disease: Argentina reported 86 confirmed hantavirus cases in 2025, including 28 deaths.  Chile reported 35 confirmed cases, including 7 deaths.  Although annual case numbers remain relatively low, experts caution that this mainly reflects the rarity of exposure to infected rodents — not the absence of transmission risk once a human infection occurs.    Why Continuous Monitoring Is Important?The first major indication of person-to-person transmission emerged during the 1996 El Bolsón/Esquel outbreak. More recently, the 2018–2019 Epuyén outbreak infected 34 people after a single index case attended crowded social gatherings while symptomatic. Strict public health interventions — including isolation, quarantine, and active contact tracing — reduced transmission.Read More: Hantavirus: Israel Confirms 1st Case as UK, Spain Probe Suspected Infections; Should You Be Worried? The Hantavirus Society noted that a confined environment aboard the MV Hondius means that passengers and crew may still be within the virus’s incubation period. The scientists thus warned, "A negative PCR test shortly after exposure does not necessarily rule out future infection.” They recommend “ongoing monitoring, repeat testing where necessary, and antibody testing for close contacts”. Experts are also examining whether transmission could occur during early or minimally symptomatic stages, rather than only after obvious illness begins.