Andes virus (ANDV)
Andes virus is the dominant hantavirus in the Southern Cone of South America. It is the only hantavirus species with documented person-to-person transmission, which is why public health agencies place travel-linked clusters such as the MV Hondius event under heightened surveillance.
- Primary rodent host
- Long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus) and related Oligoryzomys species
- Geographic range
- Argentina, Chile, southern Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay
- Case-fatality rate
- 30 to 50 percent in confirmed HPS cases
- Incubation
- 7 to 39 days, median around 14 to 17 days
- Discovered
- 1995, Bariloche outbreak in Argentina
Transmission
Inhalation of aerosolised rodent excreta. Andes virus is the only hantavirus with documented limited person-to-person transmission, especially within households and healthcare settings during the early symptomatic phase.
Key facts
- ▪ Causes severe HPS with rapid progression to cardiopulmonary collapse
- ▪ Person-to-person spread is rare but documented for ANDV, especially in close household contacts
- ▪ Most cases occur in rural and peri-urban settings with rodent exposure during summer and autumn
- ▪ Treatment is supportive intensive care; ECMO improves survival in severe cases
Reporting agencies
WHO Disease Outbreak NewsPAHOArgentina MSALChile MINSAL
Sources: WHO, ECDC, U.S. CDC, PAHO and peer-reviewed virology and epidemiology literature.
Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for clinical advice.
Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for clinical advice.