hantavirus

American  

[hahn-tuh-vahy-ruhs, han‑] / ˈhɑn təˌvaɪ rəs, ˈhæn‑ /

noun

plural

hantaviruses

1. any of several viruses of the family Bunyaviridae, spread chiefly by wild rodents, that cause acute respiratory illness, kidney failure, and other syndromes.

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hantavirus British  

/ ˈhæntəˌvaɪrəs /

noun

1. any one of a group of viruses that are transmitted to humans by rodents and cause disease of varying severity, ranging from a mild form of influenza to respiratory or kidney failure

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hantavirus Scientific  

/ hăn′tə-vī′rəs /

1. Any of a group of viruses of the genus Hantavirus, carried by rodents, that cause severe respiratory infections in humans and, in some cases, hemorrhaging, kidney disease, and death.

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Etymology

Origin of hantavirus

First recorded in 1975–80; after the Hantaan River in Korea, near which the virus first afflicted Westerners in the 1950s

Example Sentences

Arakawa was found to have died on or around Feb. 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a very rare disease that is spread by infected rat droppings or saliva.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 19, 2026

A later investigation determined that he died of heart disease and Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease caused by rodents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

“An increase in indoor mice elevates the risk of hantavirus exposure.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2025

Hackman, 95, died from heart disease as much as a week after Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2025

The Santa Fe medical examiner determined she died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne respiratory disease.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025