How Is Hantavirus Transmitted?

Hantavirus existed well outside the public’s consciousness before media reports surfaced in April 2026 about an outbreak of the disease on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

Because outbreaks of the hantavirus are so uncommon, scientists are still learning about the virus.

For now, however, experts say there is no cause for alarm.  The overall risk to the American public is considered extremely low at this time, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

How is hantavirus transmitted?

Hantavirus is a rare but dangerous group of viruses often caused by contact with droppings or saliva from infected deer mice and other rodents.

People can also become infected through rodent bites, although that method is far less common.  Activities that involve contact with rodents such as cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, farming, forestry work and sleeping in rodent-infested dwellings increase exposure risk.

Up to this point, human-to-human transmission is rare. It has been documented only for a specific type of the virus, known as the Andes version. 

When it occurs, transmission between people has been associated with close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members or intimate partners.

How is hantavirus diagnosed?

Determining if a patient has hantavirus can be difficult early in the infection because symptoms are not specific and resemble many other viral infections or respiratory illnesses. Because of this, a blood test is often the only way to officially diagnose it.

Physicians are also likely to conduct a careful patient history with particular focus on rodent exposure, occupational and environmental risks, and travel history.

What are the different types of hantavirus?

There are many different types, but they fall into two main groupings categorized by geographical region, the specific rodent hosts, and the clinical symptoms they produce.

• Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is found in the Western Hemisphere and is the most common type in the United States. It is caused by the Andes virus, which is spread by rodents in South America and, far less commonly, by other infected people. The Andes virus is the only one known to spread from human to human, though such cases are considered rare. This spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with a sick person. This type primarily attacks the lungs and heart, leading to pulmonary edema. 
• Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a group of clinically similar illnesses caused by hantaviruses found mostly in Europe and Asia. However, Seoul virus, a type of hantavirus that causes more serious disease, is found worldwide, including in the United States. In 2017, the Seoul virus was found in 11 states in the South and Midwest, but Louisiana was not among them. Carried by the bank vole, a small rodent found primarily in western Europe, these viruses can cause kidney and vascular damage, ranging from mild to life-threatening.

What happens if you get hantavirus?

Chances are excellent that you won’t. Experts say the spread of the disease is highly unlikely for most people who are not directly exposed to rodents.

The World Health Organization says there is no specific treatment that cures hantavirus diseases. However, early medical care is key to limiting the impact the viruses can have. 

WHO recommends close clinical monitoring and management of respiratory, cardiac and kidney complications. Prevention depends largely on reducing contacts between people and infected rodents.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

It can often take between one and six weeks after exposure for symptoms to appear, depending on the type of virus.

The symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.  The WHO says hantavirus can lead to different health issues as it reaches later stages. 

How is hantavirus treated?

There is no specific treatment, vaccine or antiviral medication for hantavirus infection. Supportive care can help address symptoms. The earlier the intervention, the better the prognosis. 

The supportive care, often administered in a hospital setting, includes rest, hydration and treatment of symptoms. Patients are also monitored for cardiac function and blood oxygen saturation.