What Is Hantavirus — Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are a group of RNA viruses in the Hantaviridae family, named after the Hantaan River in South Korea where the prototype strain (Hantaan virus) was first isolated in 1976. These viruses are carried by specific rodent reservoirs and can cause severe — sometimes fatal — disease in humans when transmitted via inhalation of aerosolised rodent excreta.

Two major clinical syndromes are associated with hantavirus infection: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), found primarily in the Americas, and Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), found across Europe and Asia. HPS carries a case fatality rate of 20–50%, making it one of the deadliest viral respiratory diseases. HFRS fatality ranges from 1–15% depending on the virus strain.

Hantaviruses are considered both endemic and emergent. HFRS has been recognised in Eurasia for decades, with tens of thousands of cases reported annually in China alone. HPS was first identified in 1993 during an outbreak in the Four Corners region of the United States, and new hantavirus strains continue to be discovered in rodent populations worldwide.

Geographically, hantaviruses are found on every continent except Antarctica — though the May 2026 MV Hondius cluster in the Drake Passage has raised questions about maritime transmission in Antarctic-adjacent waters. Major endemic regions include China, Korea, Scandinavia, the Balkans, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and the southwestern United States.

Why surveillance matters: There is no specific antiviral treatment and no licensed vaccine available in the Americas. Early recognition and supportive care dramatically improve outcomes. Real-time surveillance — tracking outbreaks, case counts, and exposed populations — helps public health authorities respond faster and saves lives.

Learn more about HPS vs HFRS syndromes and transmission routes.