As of May 2026, the Andes virus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel continues to develop. There are important distinctions between this virus and the Sin Nombre virus, which is a Hantavirus endemic to the United States.

• Hantaviruses spread from animals to humans. Spread is primarily through contact with the urine, droppings (feces), and saliva of wild rodents.  
• Sin Nombre hantavirus is found in the United States (cases from CDC).
• Sin Nombre virus is spread by infected deer mice and is not spread person to person.

Symptoms and Illness

• Both Andes virus and Sin Nombre virus (hantavirus strains) can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare but serious lung disease.
• Symptoms can appear anywhere from 4 to 42-days after exposure and often start as flu-like illness, including:
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Resources for Local Health Departments

• Educational Materials from San Diego County
• Hantavirus Protocol from  Arizona Department of Health
• Hantavirus Resources from Arizona Department of Health
• Hantavirus Investigation Manual from New Mexico Health

Additional Information

• Hantavirus: Clinical Insights, Emerging Evidence, and What Every Healthcare Worker Should Know  from  the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training & Education Center (NETEC)
• Podcast: Exploring Hantavirus & Protecting Healthcare teams from NETEC

Connect with Other Local Health Departments through NACCHO’s Virtual Communities

• Local Environmental Health Officials/Leaders (email [email protected] to join)
• Network for Vector Control Professionals (email [email protected] to join)

For updates for local health departments regarding the Andes virus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, please click here.