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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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

They play a vital role in the ecosystem, eating rodents, such as ground squirrels, that often carry diseases such as hantavirus, plague and Lyme disease.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

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

The 65-year-old pianist died of hantavirus, which can cause flu-like symptoms and develop into a life-threatening lung condition.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2025

Complications of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can lead to damaged lung tissues and fluid buildup in the lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2025