Chile Issues First Ever Preventive Sanitary Alert for Hantavirus

Chile's Ministry of Health has issued a first-of-its-kind preventive sanitary alert for hantavirus. The alert is active in 13 of 16 regions, spanning from Atacama to Magallanes, and will remain in effect until July 31, 2027. This measure follows reports of 46 infections and 18 deaths so far this year, resulting in a lethality rate of 39 percent. Authorities clarified that the alert is preventive and does not indicate an ongoing epidemic or an overwhelmed health system; instead, it provides extraordinary powers to reinforce surveillance, manage resources, and acquire supplies.

Hantavirus is endemic to Chile and is transmitted by the long-tailed mouse found in rural and semi-rural areas. While typically spread through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva, the Andes virus variant can exceptionally be transmitted between people in close and prolonged contact. Symptoms often begin as a severe flu with high fever, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting; respiratory difficulty may develop after 48 hours. One medical expert noted that the incubation period can last up to one and a half months.

To prevent infection, health officials recommend ventilating closed spaces for at least 30 minutes before entry and avoiding sweeping or vacuuming dust to prevent aerosolizing the virus. Recommended safety measures include using masks and gloves and disinfecting surfaces with a mixture of water and chlorine. High-risk activities include camping on the ground, collecting firewood in wooded areas, and entering abandoned buildings. If a dead long-tailed mouse is found, it should be sprayed with a chlorine solution for 15 minutes before being collected with gloves or plastic bags.