The five major hantavirus strains, their geographic distribution, host animals, and clinical severity. Based on CDC, WHO, and peer-reviewed literature.
| Strain | Disease | Region | CFR | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNV | HPS | North America | 30–40% | Critical |
| ANDV | HPS | South America | 30–35% | Critical |
| HTNV | HFRS | Asia | 5–15% | High |
| PUUV | NE | Europe | <1% | Moderate |
| SEOV | HFRS | Worldwide | <1% | Low–Moderate |
Sin Nombre Virus
SNVNorth AmericaHPS — Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Host Animal
Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
Geographic Range
Western USA, Canada (British Columbia, Alberta)
Transmission
Inhalation of contaminated rodent excreta. No person-to-person.
Symptoms
Fever, myalgia, rapid-onset respiratory failure within 5–10 days of symptom onset.
Notable Outbreaks
1993 Four Corners (27 deaths), 2012 Yosemite (3 deaths)
Andes Virus
ANDVSouth AmericaHPS — Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Host Animal
Long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus)
Geographic Range
Argentina, Chile (Patagonia); also Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil
Transmission
Inhalation of excreta. UNIQUE: documented person-to-person transmission among close contacts.
Symptoms
HPS with additional hemorrhagic features. Often presents with facial flushing and thrombocytopenia.
Notable Outbreaks
1996–1998 Patagonian clusters, 2019 Chile resurgence
Hantaan Virus
HTNVAsiaHFRS — Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (severe form)
Host Animal
Striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius)
Geographic Range
China (endemic), South Korea, far-eastern Russia, North Korea
Transmission
Inhalation of dried excreta, direct contact with infected rodents. No person-to-person.
Symptoms
Classic five-phase HFRS: febrile → hypotensive → oliguric → diuretic → convalescent. Severe renal failure.
Notable Outbreaks
Endemic in China with 10,000–100,000 cases/year. Korean Hemorrhagic Fever in 1950s Korean War.
Puumala Virus
PUUVEuropeNE — Nephropathia Epidemica (mild HFRS)
Host Animal
Bank vole (Myodes glareolus)
Geographic Range
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Transmission
Inhalation of contaminated material; contact with infected voles or their excreta.
Symptoms
Acute nephritis, fever, headache, back pain. Renal insufficiency in most cases but rarely fatal. Full recovery typical.
Notable Outbreaks
Germany 2007, 2010, 2023 (2,800+ cases). Finland sees 3,000–10,000 cases in peak years.
Seoul Virus
SEOVWorldwideHFRS — Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (mild form)
Host Animal
Common house rat (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus)
Geographic Range
Global — wherever house rats exist. Particularly prevalent in East Asia, Europe, Americas.
Transmission
Bite, scratch, or inhalation from infected house rats. Rat owners and pet breeders at risk.
Symptoms
Mild to moderate HFRS. Thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, moderate renal impairment.
Notable Outbreaks
2017 USA/Canada pet rat-associated outbreak (>30 cases across 11 states). Ongoing globally.