About Andes Virus

Overview

Andes virus is a type of hantavirus spread by rodents in South America and, less commonly, by other infected people. The rodents that carry Andes virus have not been found in the United States. It can cause a severe respiratory disease in people, called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that is known to spread person-to-person. This spread is usually limited to people who have close contact with a sick person. This includes direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces, and exposure to the sick person's body fluids.

Signs and symptoms

Early symptoms of HPS due to Andes virus can include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups like the thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders

About half of all patients with HPS also experience:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Chills
• Abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

Typically, people are only infectious while they have symptoms.

How it spreads

Andes virus can spread:

• Through contact with infected rodents or their urine, saliva, or feces
• By touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes
• Through close contact with a person who is sick with Andes virus

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Infographic showing how Andes virus spreads: infected long-tailed rice rats shed virus in urine, droppings, and saliva; people can become infected by breathing contaminated dust, especially in enclosed spaces. Symptoms usually appear 4–42 days after exposure. Rarely, Andes virus can spread person to person through close contact with someone who has symptoms.

Andes virus is a hantavirus carried by wild rodents in parts of South America. The main way it spreads is through exposure to infected rodents, including long-tailed rice rats found in parts of Argentina and Chile. Infected rodents can shed the virus in their urine, droppings, and saliva.

People can become infected when they breathe in dust contaminated with virus from infected rodents, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Rarely, infection can also happen from a rodent bite or scratch.

Symptoms usually appear 4–42 days after exposure and may include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. Some people later develop cough and shortness of breath.

In rare situations, Andes virus can spread from person to person through close contact with someone who has symptoms.

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Reducing risk

Avoid areas infested with rodents while visiting countries in South America.

Avoid spread between people by:

• Washing hands frequently
• Avoiding kissing and sexual contact with someone who may have Andes virus
• Avoid sharing drinks, cigarettes, hookah, and vapes with someone who may have Andes virus
• Avoid sharing eating utensils or eating food from the same plate or bowl as someone who may have Andes virus
• Maintaining distance from someone who may have Andes virus

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Andes virus currently available. Symptoms may develop rapidly. Early medical care is critical with care centered on managing symptoms.

Resources