HantaWatch — Real-time Andes Hantavirus Surveillance

About HantaWatch

Real-time global surveillance of Andes orthohantavirus (ANDV)

What is Andes Hantavirus?

Andes orthohantavirus (ANDV) is the causative agent of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in South America. It is the only hantavirus with confirmed human-to-human transmission.

The virus is carried by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), endemic to southern Chile and southwestern Argentina. Humans typically contract the virus through inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta.

30–40%

Case Fatality Rate

0.3–0.8

Human R₀

4–39 days

Incubation

~1,000–1,500

Total Cases Since 1993

Frequently Asked Questions

How is ANDV transmitted between humans?

Human-to-human transmission occurs through prolonged close contact with infectious bodily fluids (saliva, respiratory secretions) of symptomatic patients. The 2018–2019 Epuyén outbreak documented a superspreader event with a secondary attack rate of ~14% among household contacts. Unlike COVID-19, ANDV does not spread through casual contact or aerosols.

Is there a vaccine or treatment?

No. There is no vaccine and no specific antiviral treatment. Care is supportive: intensive care, mechanical ventilation, and ECMO in severe cases. Ribavirin has been tested and shown no benefit. Immune plasma was evaluated in an RCT (Vial et al. 2023) and showed no significant benefit.

Where is ANDV endemic?

Southern Chile (Regions X–XII: Los Lagos, Aysén, Magallanes) and southwestern Argentina (Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut provinces). Cases are rare (1–50 per year) with seasonal peaks during Southern Hemisphere spring–summer (October–March).

Should I be worried?

For most people outside the endemic zone: no. ANDV has R₀ < 1 (subcritical), meaning each case causes fewer than one secondary case on average. Outbreaks are self-limiting. However, the high CFR (30–40%) and confirmed human-to-human transmission warrant continued surveillance.

What data sources does HantaWatch use?

WHO Disease Outbreak News (DON), PAHO Epidemiological Alerts, ProMED-mail, PubMed/MEDLINE academic literature, and global news media (Google News, Bing News). All data is cross-referenced and deduplicated.

How often is the data updated?

News feeds are checked hourly. Official case reports from WHO/PAHO are polled daily. The dashboard automatically refreshes every 60 seconds.

Disclaimer: HantaWatch is an independent surveillance project. It is not affiliated with WHO, PAHO, or any government health agency. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult official public health authorities for guidance.