How Wet Weather in Argentina Helped Fuel the Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak

Wetter-than-usual conditions in Argentina likely boosted rodent populations and helped fuel a hantavirus outbreak.

Researchers linked the surge to infected rodent hosts, especially Oligoryzomys species carrying the Lechiguanas strain.

Health officials reported 101 confirmed cases, concentrated in central Argentina after years of drought followed by an El Niño-driven wet cycle.

The outbreak also affected passengers on the MV Hondius, highlighting the public health risk of spillover and possible person-to-person spread with Andes virus.