Transmission of Andes Virus (ANDV)

• animal-to-human transmission occurs when people come into contact with infected wild rodents, their droppings or environments contaminated by rodent excreta, whilst in at-risk areas including Chile and Argentina
  • infected rodents do not show signs of disease. It is believed that transmission occurs by inhalation of aerosolized virus particles from rodent excreta (or dust containing the excreta), or by touching mucous membranes with hands that have been contaminated by the virus. Rodent bites are a rare but potential route of transmission.

It is unclear how human-to-human transmission of ANDV occurs

• appears that close contact with an infected person is necessary, and airborne transmission should be considered a possibility
  • close contact with infected cases within a household setting has been shown to increase the risk of transmission tenfold and transmission often occurs in family clusters.

Epidemiological studies suggest that human-to-human transmission can occur during the prodromal phas

• in late 2018, an outbreak occurred in Chubut province, Argentina
• a single suspected symptomatic index case attended a party in Epuyen where secondary transmission is thought to have occurred.

Reference:

• Public Health England (May 2021). Andes hantavirus: epidemiology, outbreaks and guidance