Where is hantavirus found? The honest answer is: almost everywhere there are rodents — which means almost everywhere on Earth. Hantaviruses are a family of over 50 recognised strains, each hosted by a specific rodent species, each with its own geographic range. Some cause severe, often fatal lung disease. Others cause kidney disease with much lower mortality. A few have never been linked to human illness at all.
Here is the complete 2026 global distribution, with active case counts as of May 14.
The Global Framework: Two Disease Syndromes, Two Hemispheres
Understanding where hantavirus is and what it does requires separating the two clinical syndromes:
| Syndrome | Primary region | Dominant strains | Target organ | Mortality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPS (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome) | Americas | Andes, Sin Nombre, Bayou, Black Creek Canal | Lungs | 25–50% |
| HFRS (Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome) | Europe, Asia | Puumala, Hantaan, Seoul, Dobrava | Kidneys | 0.1–12% |
The deadlier disease — HPS — is concentrated in the Americas. The more common disease — HFRS — is spread across Europe and Asia.
The Americas: Where HPS Lives
South America — The Epicentre of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Argentina is the global epicentre of HPS in 2026. The country has reported 110 confirmed cases and 36 deaths as of May 14, running approximately 24% above the five-year average. The dominant strain is Andes virus, carried by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus).
| Country | Dominant strain | 2026 cases | Risk zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Andes virus | 110 | Patagonia, central provinces |
| Chile | Andes virus | 11 | Aysén, Los Lagos, Araucanía |
| Bolivia | Andes-lineage | ~10 est. | Santa Cruz department |
| Paraguay | Juquitiba/Andes-related | ~15 est. | Eastern border region |
| Uruguay | Andes-related | ~8 est. | Rural central provinces |
| Brazil | Araucaria, Araraquara | ~20 est. | South and SE states |
| Panama | Choclo virus | Sporadic | Western lowlands |
Andes virus range: Specifically within this group, Andes virus ranges from central Chile and Argentina (Río Negro, Neuquén, Mendoza, San Luis, Buenos Aires provinces) through Chilean Patagonia. It is the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission.
North America
United States: Sin Nombre virus is endemic across the western US, with the Four Corners region (New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah) carrying the highest burden. The US reports 19 domestic HPS cases in 2026, plus one fatal Andes virus case linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. Full US risk map →
Canada: Sporadic Sin Nombre cases in the western prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba). One confirmed 2026 case — the Hondius-linked Andes infection in British Columbia.
Mexico: Sin Nombre and related strains present in northern states bordering the US Southwest. Cases underreported due to surveillance limitations.
Europe: Where HFRS Is Endemic
Northern and Central Europe — Puumala Virus Belt
Puumala virus is Europe’s dominant hantavirus, carried by the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). It causes Nephropathia Epidemica (NE) — a mild-to-moderate kidney syndrome with less than 1% mortality.
| Country | 2026 YTD cases (est.) | Hotspot region |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | ~1,800 | Nationwide, peaks in autumn |
| Russia (European) | ~500 | Volga-Ural region |
| Sweden | ~420 | Central and northern Sweden |
| Germany | ~310 + 2 Andes* | Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria |
| France | ~90 + 2 Andes* | Ardennes, Alsace |
| Belgium | ~85 + 1 Andes* | Ardennes region |
| Czech Republic | ~65 | Bohemian Forest, Moravia |
| Netherlands | ~30 + 2 Andes* | Rural east and south |
*Andes cases are Hondius-linked imports, tracked separately from endemic Puumala surveillance.
The Puumala belt follows the range of the bank vole, which expands dramatically during mast years (when beech and oak produce abundant seeds, driving rodent population booms). Finland regularly reports 3,000+ NE cases in peak years.
Southeastern Europe — Dobrava-Belgrade Virus
Dobrava-Belgrade virus causes more severe HFRS (mortality up to 12%) than Puumala. It circulates in the Balkans, carried by the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius).
Countries affected: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary. Sporadic cases in Romania and Baltic states.
MV Hondius Andes Virus in Europe
The 13 confirmed Hondius cases (as of May 14) span 11 countries, with 5 European nations now reporting cases: Netherlands (2), France (2), Germany (1), UK (1), Belgium (1), Switzerland (1). These are imported Andes virus infections — the virus is not establishing itself in European rodent populations.
Asia: The World’s Largest HFRS Burden
China — Where Hantavirus Is Most Common by Volume
China carries the world’s largest hantavirus burden: an estimated 10,000–20,000 HFRS cases per year, predominantly caused by Hantaan virus (carried by the striped field mouse in northern and central China) and Seoul virus (carried by the Norway rat, which is globally distributed).
Hantaan virus HFRS has a mortality rate of approximately 5–10% — significantly lower than HPS but higher than Puumala. Northeast China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning) and Shaanxi province are the primary endemic zones.
| Country | 2026 YTD cases | Dominant strain | Mortality |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | ~5,000 (Q1 report) | Hantaan, Seoul | 2–10% |
| South Korea | ~120 | Hantaan, Seoul | 1–5% |
| Russia (Far East) | ~300 | Hantaan, Puumala | 1–7% |
| Japan | <20 | Seoul | <1% |
| Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan | Sporadic | Puumala, Hantaan | Varies |
Seoul Virus: The Globally Distributed Exception
Seoul virus deserves special mention because its reservoir — the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) — is found on every inhabited continent. Seoul virus causes a relatively mild form of HFRS (mortality <1%) and has been reported in the US, UK, France, and other non-endemic countries through pet rat exposure. It is the one hantavirus that is truly global.
Africa, Australia, and Antarctica
Africa: Several hantaviruses have been identified in African rodents, but confirmed human cases are rare and surveillance is limited. The most notable is Sangassou virus in Guinea.
Australia: No indigenous hantaviruses have been identified in Australian native rodents. The two confirmed 2026 Australian cases are Hondius-linked Andes imports — both cleared by mid-May.
Antarctica: Has no indigenous rodent populations and therefore no endemic hantavirus. The entire Hondius cluster traces back to Ushuaia, Argentina (sub-Antarctic, not Antarctic) where the ship provisioned.
Where Is Hantavirus: The 60-Second Summary
- If you’re in the US Southwest: Sin Nombre virus from deer mice. Avoid enclosed spaces with rodent evidence.
- If you’re in Europe: Puumala from bank voles is the background risk (very low mortality). The Andes import risk from Hondius is time-limited and requires contact tracing, not community action.
- If you’re in Asia: Hantaan and Seoul from field mice and rats. Rural exposure during spring and autumn peak.
- If you’re in or returning from South America (especially Patagonia): Andes virus is the most dangerous strain. Monitor for 45 days post-return.
- Globally: Seoul virus is possible anywhere through infected pet rats or ship rats.
Live case counts by country on our interactive map →
Explore HantavirusMap