Hantavirus Cases Rising in Argentina, Experts Point to Climate Change

Argentina is seeing a sharp rise in hantavirus infections and deaths, with health officials reporting 101 confirmed cases and 32 deaths so far this season, nearly double last year’s numbers. According to CNN, this is the country’s highest number of infections since 2018.

The increase comes as authorities investigate an outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. A Dutch couple who traveled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay later died after boarding the vessel. The ship is now heading to Spain’s Canary Islands.

Health experts say climate change and environmental damage are helping spread the virus into new areas. Hantavirus is usually spread through contact with infected rodents, especially their urine or droppings.

Officials say warmer temperatures, heavy rainfall, droughts, and forest fires are changing rodent habitats and increasing human contact with the animals that carry the virus.

Most recent cases have been recorded in central Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires province.

Experts also stressed that the current outbreak is very different from COVID-19. According to CNN, doctors say the Andes strain linked to the cruise ship can spread between people only through very close and prolonged contact, making widespread transmission unlikely.

The World Health Organization has reassured residents in Spain’s Canary Islands that the risk remains low as the ship prepares to arrive this weekend.

Meanwhile, Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed it is monitoring the outbreak and “is in communication with CARPHA and all other regional and international partners.” It added that for the time being, the risk is low in the Caribbean region.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) said in a Wednesday statement it will “will continue to support safer tourism across the Region through enhanced surveillance mechanisms.”