Hantavirus in Chile CL

Endemic 1 strain

Chile reports several dozen HPS cases annually, almost all caused by Andes virus, with a north-south gradient peaking in Aysén and Los Lagos regions. The country has run national surveillance since 1995 and Chilean clinicians' published HPS case series remain among the largest in the world.

Circulating strains

Hantavirus strains documented in Chile. HPS = Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (Americas, predominantly fatal lung involvement). HFRS = Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (Eurasia, kidney involvement).

ANDV Andes virus HPS

Rodent reservoir

Long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus)

Case-fatality rate

35-40%

Person-to-person spread

Documented

The only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission. Andes virus clusters trigger contact-tracing and isolation responses other hantaviruses do not.

Outbreak context

Person-to-person transmission has been documented in Chilean clusters, mirroring the Argentine pattern. Cases peak in late spring and summer.

Past outbreaks involving Chile

Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-locations 2026-07-02 3 deaths
1997 - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in the Americas 2021-06-08 archived

See the complete hantavirus outbreak history for Chile — year-grouped, with case counts and per-bulletin briefings.