Argentina to expand hantavirus search to a second province

Argentine health authorities are expanding their investigation into the origins of a hantavirus outbreak that resulted in the deaths of three passengers aboard the MV Hondius earlier this year. The vessel, which was travelling from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde, faced significant disruptions in April following the incident, prompting an international search for the source of the rare respiratory disease.

Expanding the Scope of Investigation

While the Andes hantavirus strain is endemic to several regions in Argentina, the investigation has now widened to include western Mendoza province. This expansion follows preliminary efforts in May, when scientists from the Malbran Institute—the country’s leading centre for infectious diseases—traveled to Ushuaia to test local rodent populations.

Did You Know? Although hantavirus is endemic in several parts of Argentina, the province of Tierra del Fuego has not recorded a single case of the virus in the 30 years since reporting became mandatory.

The upcoming phase of the investigation is scheduled to take place from June 8 to 12. Experts from the Malbran Institute will collaborate with representatives from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct field work in Mendoza.

Ecological and Epidemiological Criteria

The selection of sites for this new study was determined based on ecological and eco-epidemiological criteria related to the habits of local rodents. According to the University of Mendoza, while there is no confirmed local circulation of the Andes virus in the province, there is a potential presence of the reservoir rodent species.

View this post on Instagram about Tierra del Fuego, University of Mendoza

From Instagram — related to Tierra del Fuego, University of Mendoza

Expert Insight: The collaboration between local authorities and international partners like the CDC underscores the complexities of tracking rare, zoonotic diseases. Given that researchers are still analyzing samples from over 100 rodents captured in Tierra del Fuego, the search in Mendoza may provide critical data to determine if the virus’s reach is expanding or if the reservoir populations are shifting their geographic range.

As the investigation proceeds, the results from the ongoing analysis of rodents captured in Tierra del Fuego are expected to provide further clarity. It remains a possibility that these findings, combined with the upcoming field work in Mendoza, will help health officials better understand the environmental factors contributing to the recent outbreak.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the investigation expanding to Mendoza?

The health ministry is expanding the search to include western Mendoza as part of an investigation into the deadly cruise ship outbreak that occurred in April. The sites were chosen based on specific ecological and eco-epidemiological criteria related to rodent behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions — Malbran Institute

Is the Andes hantavirus already present in Mendoza?

According to the University of Mendoza, there is currently no confirmed local circulation of the Andes virus in the province. However, the university notes that there is a potential presence of the reservoir rodent.

Who is involved in the upcoming investigation?

Scientists from the Malbran Institute, which serves as Argentina’s leading centre for infectious diseases, will conduct the investigation in collaboration with experts from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How do you think international collaboration between health agencies impacts our ability to manage rare viral outbreaks?

MV Hondius cleared to resume passenger cruises after hantavirus outbreak