"Causes scientists to be nervous": Nizhny Novgorod residents warned about the dangerous hantavirus

      On May 8, 2026, at 10:40, the residents of Nizhny Novgorod were warned about the risk of infection with a deadly strain of hantavirus when traveling abroad. Details were provided by healthcare representative Alexey Nikонов on his Telegram channel.

      According to him, natural foci of the Andes strain are located in Argentina and Chile, and the infection is carried by the long-tailed rice hamster. Unlike most hantaviruses, which are transmitted to humans only from rodents, such as the causative agent of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, this one can spread from person to person through close and prolonged contact—within families or during sexual relations.

      The fatality rate for this strain is incredibly high—reaching 25-40%. The initial symptoms may resemble the flu; however, everything "quickly turns into a disaster": pulmonary edema, severe shortness of breath, and shock develop. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus. Only early hospitalization in intensive care, artificial ventilation, and ECMO can help.

      According to the specialist, the new strain has already been recorded in Israel, where it was brought in from Eastern Europe. Nizhny Novgorod residents planning trips to South America are advised to postpone them if possible. If canceling the trip is not an option, they should avoid close contact with people showing symptoms of ARVI or gastrointestinal disorders, and also refrain from sleeping on bare ground.

      Alexey Nikонов also emphasized that a pandemic on the scale of the coronavirus due to the Andes strain is impossible. Very close contact is necessary for the virus to be transmitted between people—such as during sex or caring for a sick person. Nevertheless, local outbreaks are characterized by high mortality and pose a serious challenge for healthcare systems.

      Earlier, we reported that a domestic vaccine against meningococcus is being tested in Nizhny Novgorod. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999-2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.