Andes virus is a type of hantavirus found primarily in South America, especially Argentina and Chile. It is notable because it is one of the few hantaviruses known to spread from person to person.
What to know:
- Most infections occur through inhalation of virus particles from aerosolized rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
- Unlike most hantaviruses, Andes virus can also spread between people, usually through close contact such as caring for an infected person or intimate contact.
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Andes virus causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a medical emergency with a high fatality rate.
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Andes virus is closely monitored by public health authorities because of its severity and its rare ability to spread person to person, which distinguishes it from most other hantaviruses.
- Symptoms are flu‑like and may include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid buildup in the lungs
- Severe respiratory failure
- For current outbreak information and situation reports, scroll down.