Andes virus

Andes virus is a type of hantavirus, which belongs to the order Bunyavirales. Hantaviruses are RNA viruses that cause acute respiratory illnesses in humans, often transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their excreta.12

Andes virus is specifically associated with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in Chile and Argentina. HPS is a severe respiratory illness with a high fatality rate, characterized by fever, muscle aches, and acute respiratory distress. Human infection typically occurs through inhaling dust contaminated with dried rodent excreta. Prevention involves controlling rodent populations and limiting exposure to rodent habitats.23