Andes virus is a type of hantavirus. It can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory disease that affects the lungs.
Andes virus is especially important in outbreak tracking because it is the only known hantavirus type that can spread from person to person. That spread is usually linked to close contact with someone who is sick, not ordinary brief public contact.
Quick facts
- Andes virus is a type of hantavirus.
- It is associated with South America.
- It can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
- Early symptoms can look flu-like.
- Symptoms may appear 4 to 42 days after exposure.
- Andes virus can spread through rodent exposure.
- Unlike most hantaviruses, Andes virus can also spread person-to-person through close contact with a sick person.
- There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Andes virus; medical care focuses on early supportive care.
How Andes virus relates to hantavirus
"Hantavirus" is a broad term for a family of viruses mainly spread by rodents. Different hantaviruses are associated with different regions, rodent hosts, and disease patterns.
Andes virus is one specific hantavirus. It is notable because it has been linked to person-to-person transmission, while most hantaviruses are not transmitted between people.
Where Andes virus is usually found
Andes virus is associated with rodents in South America. CDC states that the rodents that carry Andes virus have not been found in the United States.
For people outside areas where Andes virus is normally found, risk is usually connected to travel, outbreak contact tracing, or close contact with a confirmed or suspected case.
Andes virus symptoms
Andes virus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Early symptoms can resemble the flu and may include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Later symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and rapidly worsening breathing problems.
Incubation period
CDC states that signs and symptoms of Andes virus infection may appear 4 to 42 days after exposure.
Because symptoms may not appear immediately, public-health authorities may recommend monitoring or quarantine for people with meaningful exposure during an active Andes virus investigation.
How Andes virus spreads
Andes virus can spread in several ways:
- Contact with infected rodents or their urine, saliva, or feces.
- Touching a contaminated object or surface and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Close contact with a person who is sick with Andes virus.
Close contact may include direct physical contact, prolonged time in close or enclosed spaces, or exposure to body fluids from the sick person.
Why Andes virus is different from most hantaviruses
Most hantaviruses do not spread from person to person. Andes virus is the known exception.
That distinction matters because public-health response may involve contact tracing, monitoring, isolation guidance, and special precautions for people who had close contact with a sick person.
Current outbreak context
The 2026 cruise-ship cluster involves Andes hantavirus linked to MV Hondius. Official public-health agencies have treated the situation as a serious event requiring international coordination, contact tracing, medical evacuation, and monitoring.
At the same time, official agencies have also emphasized that the general-public risk remains low or very low outside the affected exposure group. The live tracker should present both points clearly: serious for exposed passengers and close contacts, but not a general-public panic event.
Treatment and medical care
CDC states that there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine currently available for Andes virus. Medical care focuses on managing symptoms, and early medical care is important because symptoms may develop rapidly.
If you may have had contact with a person with Andes virus and develop symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.