Last updated:
Disease groups:
At a glance
- No vaccine available – read more about prevention
- Not currently notifiable disease
About Andes virus infection
Andes virus is a type of hantavirus found in South America.
The virus usually spreads from rodents to people. It is the only known hantavirus that can also spread between people – but this is rare.
It can cause a severe respiratory illness called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Why it matters to public health
Andes virus infection is rare, but it can be serious. Up to half of people who develop the severe respiratory form of the illness die.
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment.
Because of how serious Andes virus infection can be, it is considered a listed human disease. This means the Australian Government can use special powers to stop it from entering the country and respond quickly if it’s detected.
Symptoms
If you’re looking for advice about your own health or treatment options, see healthdirect or speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Our role is to provide public health advice – information and guidance that helps prevent disease, protect communities and improve wellbeing at a population level.
Early symptoms can include:
- fatigue
- fever
- muscle aches, especially in the thighs, hips, and back, and sometimes in the shoulders.
Some people also experience:
About 4 to 10 days after symptoms start, people might experience:
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest.
healthdirect’s symptom checker can help you decide whether to see a healthcare professional.
Onset of symptoms
Symptoms usually start about 2 to 4 weeks after getting infected. But this can range from 1 to 6 weeks.
How it spreads
People are rarely infected with Andes virus. When it happens, it usually spreads by:
- breathing in dust or air particles that are contaminated with the faeces, urine or saliva of infected rodents
- direct contact with the urine, faeces or saliva of infected rodents
It can also spread through close and prolonged contact with an infected person, but this is rare.
Infectious period
People with Andes virus infection can spread the virus once symptoms begin.
People are unlikely to spread the virus before they have symptoms, but the exact time when a person becomes infectious is not yet clear.
Prevention
There is no vaccine against Andes virus infection.
If you are travelling to a country where Andes virus infection occurs:
- check official travel advice before leaving Australia
- avoid being around rodents and areas where rodents live
- avoid close contact with people who are unwell, if possible
- follow good hygiene practices, such as hand hygiene – including after touching animals or being out in public places.
Priority groups and settings
People at greater risk of severe disease
Anyone with Andes virus infection is at risk of severe disease.
People at greater risk of exposure
People who might be at greater risk exposure to Andes virus infection include:
- people who travel to countries where rodents carry Andes virus
- people caring or living with someone with Andes virus infection – including healthcare professionals
- laboratory workers handling Andes virus samples.
Diagnosis and treatment
Andes virus infection is diagnosed through laboratory testing of a blood sample.
There is no specific treatment for Andes virus infection. People with Andes virus infection are usually cared for in a hospital.
Outbreaks
Andes virus infection has never been detected in Australia.
If a person in Australia was confirmed to have Andes virus infection, the public health response would include:
- isolating people with Andes virus infection
- identifying, monitoring and testing contacts of people with Andes virus infection – some contacts might be quarantined
- educating people about how to protect themselves and others
- providing advice about infection prevention and control measures.
Read more about how the Australian Government defines and plans for outbreaks.
Support
Read more about Andes virus infection.
For information in your state or territory, see:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia.
If you need mental health support, see a list of organisations, websites and services that offer support, counselling and information.
For travel advice, see: