Hantavirus infections in Argentina reached 64 cumulative cases by October 31, surpassing the annual median of 46 cases recorded between 2022 and 2025, according to Boletin Epidemiologico Nacional figures reported by MesVaccins.
The hantaviruses responsible for human infections belong to the genus Orthohantavirus and use various rodent species as hosts. In the Americas, these pathogens cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness.
- What it is: A viral infection spread by rodents that causes a severe cardiopulmonary syndrome in humans.
- How it spreads: Mainly through the inhalation of airborne viral particles from infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or through direct contact.
- Prevention focus: Avoiding the kick-up of dust when cleaning enclosed spaces where rodents may have nested, and preventing rodent access to living areas.
Data from the Boletin Epidemiologico Nacional show that between July 2018 and June 2026, 655 confirmed cases of hantavirus infection were recorded across Argentina. Eighty-five percent of these cases typically occur between October and May, with the highest concentration observed from November to January.
Three orthohantavirus species variants cause human infections in the country. The Orán virus occurs in the northwest, primarily in the Yungas zone. The Andes virus, which is the only hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission, circulates in the Patagonian forests. The Lechiguanas virus is found in the Paraná delta and island zone, while the Buenos Aires variant appears in the Pampas region.
| Viral Variant | Geographic Region | Notable Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Orán Virus | Northwest (Yungas zone) | Endemic regional rodent reservoir |
| Andes Virus | Patagonian forests | Capable of interhuman transmission |
| Lechiguanas Virus | Delta and Paraná islands | Associated with wetland rodent habitats |
| Buenos Aires Variant | Pampa region | Agricultural and rural exposure vector |
Transmission to humans occurs primarily through contact with rodent excreta, urine, and saliva. Infection happens through the inhalation of viral particles stirred into the air during sweeping or vacuuming, or by consuming contaminated food and touching contaminated surfaces.
Bites from infected rodents and contact with individuals carrying the Andes virus represent additional transmission routes. MesVaccins said that the cumulative total of 64 cases reported by October 31 exceeds historical medians for the 2022 to 2025 period.
- Boletín Epidemiológico Nacional. N°833. Semana epidemiológica 43 AÑO 2026. Published November 11, 2026.
- MesVaccins. Surveillance report on hantavirus infections in Argentina, November 2026.
