Which hantavirus has demonstrated human-to-human transmission?

Which hantavirus has demonstrated human-to-human transmission?

• A. Sin Nombre virus
• B. Hantaan virus
• C. Puumala virus
• D. Andes virus

Answer: (D)

Hantavirus infections are typically acquired from infected rodent excreta, and most hantaviruses transmit from animals to humans rather than between people. Andes virus is unique in having documented human-to-human transmission, usually in close-contact situations such as caring for a sick person or within households, with secondary cases reported in outbreaks in Argentina and Chile. The other hantaviruses—Sin Nombre, Hantaan, and Puumala—are primarily rodent-borne and have not shown confirmed sustained person-to-person transmission in investigations. So, the virus with demonstrated human-to-human transmission is Andes virus.

Hantavirus infections are typically acquired from infected rodent excreta, and most hantaviruses transmit from animals to humans rather than between people. Andes virus is unique in having documented human-to-human transmission, usually in close-contact situations such as caring for a sick person or within households, with secondary cases reported in outbreaks in Argentina and Chile. The other hantaviruses—Sin Nombre, Hantaan, and Puumala—are primarily rodent-borne and have not shown confirmed sustained person-to-person transmission in investigations. So, the virus with demonstrated human-to-human transmission is Andes virus.