Hantavirus is a virus that spreads through the urine, droppings (feces), or saliva of wild rodents, including deer mice, which are common in many parts of California. Hantavirus can cause serious disease in some humans.
The current outbreak associated with the MV Hondius cruise ship in the South Atlantic has been confirmed to be due to the Andes virus strain of hantavirus
Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus that transmits person-to-person, with symptom onset 4–42 days post-exposure; transmission requires prolonged close contact with a sick person.
The infection risk to the American public remains extremely low.
San Joaquin County is currently not affected.
The Andes virus strain can cause severe respiratory disease, known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). You get it through:
- Contact with infected rodents, their urine, saliva or feces
- Touching an object or the surface with the virus on it – and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
- Close contact with a person who is sick with the Andes virus
Signs and symptoms or infection appear 4 to 42 days after exposure.
Symptoms: typically, people are infectious while they are symptomatic.
Hantavirus symptoms resemble the flu, including:
- fever
- muscle aches/back pain
- fatigue
- headache
- nausea or vomiting, which can rapidly progress to severe breathing difficulty
- chest pain
- loss of appetite
- cough
- diarrhea
Currently there is no specific Andes virus treatment. Early medical care is critical and focuses on supportive treatment.
Avoid spread between people by:
- Washing hands frequently
- Avoiding kissing and having sexual contact with someone who may have the virus
- Maintaining distance from someone who may have the Andes virus
Note: If you have had contact with a person with Andes virus and are experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional right away.
As of May 12, 2026, there are no hantavirus cases reported to Public Health Services. If that status changes, we will issue a press release, social media messages, and updates on our website at www.sjcphs.org. As is customary, local healthcare providers will be notified via CAHAN alerts.