Historical hantavirus outbreaks

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was first formally identified in 1993 in the Four Corners region of the United States, where a cluster of severe respiratory illness in young, previously healthy adults led to the discovery of Sin Nombre virus. Since then, multiple outbreaks have been described across the Americas. Argentina has reported recurrent Andes virus activity, including events in southern provinces with documented person-to-person transmission. Chile, Brazil, and the United States continue to record annual cases linked to rural exposure. In Europe and Asia, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome remains endemic, with periodic peaks driven by rodent population dynamics. In 2026, WHO reported a multi-country cluster linked to international cruise travel, highlighting how exposure can occur in unexpected settings.