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Hantavirus Emergence in a Changing World: Virology, Pathogenesis, Surveillance, and One Health Preparedness
Maria E Ramos-Nino1, Nicolette Tiffanie Chiem2, Prakash V A K Ramdass2
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George P.O. Box 7, Grenada.
Microorganisms
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Hantaviruses, emerging rodent-borne diseases, are driven by environmental changes. Integrated One Health surveillance is crucial for early detection and preparedness against these public health threats.
Area of Science:
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Zoonotic pathogens
- Public health
Background:
- Hantaviruses are rodent-borne pathogens causing severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS).
- Environmental changes, climate variability, urbanization, and land-use transformation are key drivers of hantavirus emergence and transmission.
- Hantavirus risks may be underrecognized in tropical and Caribbean regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on hantavirus virology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical aspects, diagnostics, surveillance, and prevention.
- To emphasize the impact of climate change and ecological disruption on rodent dynamics and spillover.
- To discuss advances in diagnostics, surveillance, vaccines, therapies, and early warning systems.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of hantavirus research.
- Analysis of environmental and ecological factors influencing hantavirus transmission.
- Evaluation of current surveillance and diagnostic capabilities.
Main Results:
- Hantavirus emergence is strongly linked to environmental and climate changes impacting rodent populations.
- Significant surveillance and diagnostic gaps exist, particularly in tropical and Caribbean regions.
- Advances in molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, and One Health approaches offer improved detection and preparedness.
Conclusions:
- Integrated One Health surveillance systems combining human, animal, and environmental monitoring are vital for early detection and outbreak response.
- Strengthening laboratory capacity, ecological surveillance, regional collaboration, and public health infrastructure is essential.
- Enhanced preparedness is crucial to mitigate the global burden of hantavirus infections and future zoonotic threats.
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