Andes hantavirus

Andes virus (ANDV) is the most common cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in South America. Andes virus is transmitted mainly by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat. In its natural reservoir, ANDV causes an asymptomatic, persistent infection and is spread through excretions, fighting, and grooming. Humans can become infected by inhaling aerosols of rodent saliva, urine, or feces, as well as through bites and scratches. In humans, infection can lead to HPS, an illness characterized by an earl