30/06/2026 10:48 - Salud
The Malbrán Institute (Argentina's equivalent to the CDC) has confirmed the first detection of hantavirus in rodents in Tierra del Fuego Province—the southernmost tip of South America, often called "the End of the World." This discovery marks a significant milestone in epidemiological surveillance of this dangerous disease.
For international readers: Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago shared between Argentina and Chile, located at the southern tip of South America. Its capital, Ushuaia, is famous as the gateway to Antarctica and a major cruise ship destination.
The health mission, conducted between May 18-22, 2026, captured a total of 144 rodents in the austral region. Of these, 5 specimens of the Abrothrix genus tested positive for the virus, representing a prevalence rate of 3.5% in the analyzed population.
Hantavirus is a family of viruses transmitted primarily through infected rodents. In the Americas, the most concerning variant is the Andes virus, which causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)—a severe and sometimes fatal respiratory disease.
Wild rodents serve as natural reservoirs. Humans can become infected by inhaling particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, particularly in enclosed spaces or when handling contaminated materials. Unlike some other viruses, person-to-person transmission is extremely rare, with the Andes virus being a notable exception in rare cases.
The most reassuring finding: no human cases have been associated with this new variant, health authorities confirmed. Additionally, the detected variant does not match the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak strain that affected more than 650 people across 33 countries.
Scientists determined this is a new viral variant related to the Andes virus but with distinct genetic characteristics requiring additional study.
| Parameter | Result |
|---|---|
| Mission Dates | May 18-22, 2026 |
| Rodents Captured | 144 specimens |
| Hantavirus Positive | 5 rodents (3.5%) |
| Species Affected | Abrothrix genus |
| Human Cases | None confirmed |
This discovery gains relevance in the context of the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which recorded 13 confirmed cases and 3 fatalities. More than 650 contacts were monitored across 33 countries, transforming the event into an international health emergency.
However, Malbrán Institute scientists ruled out any connection between the Tierra del Fuego variant and the cruise outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to officially declare the MV Hondius outbreak closed on July 2, 2026.
A significant finding is that the health mission found no specimens of the colilargo (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus)—the long-tailed pygmy rice rat traditionally considered the primary hantavirus reservoir in Patagonia. This suggests other rodent genera may be acting as virus hosts in this region.
The Abrothrix genus—a group of South American field mice—was not previously associated with hantavirus transmission in Argentina, representing a new challenge for researchers in terms of surveillance and prevention strategies.
Source: https://www.imago.com.ar
Alfredo S. Quiroga
