The HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre confirmed sporadic hantavirus cases have occurred in Ireland, all contracted abroad by returning travellers
13:02, 12 May 2026Updated 13:15, 12 May 2026
Hantavirus doesn’t typically transmit between humans, except in cases involving the Andes strain
Irish residents have previously contracted the lethal hantavirus, according to health authorities.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre confirmed that patients who fought off the dangerous illness acquired it in “other countries” before coming back to Ireland.
The HSE body, responsible for tracking disease outbreaks across Ireland, stated that human hantavirus infections within the country are “very rare” but conceded that “sporadic cases have occurred”.
Officials stressed that hantaviruses, a collection of viruses primarily transmitted by mice, rats and voles, do not naturally exist in Ireland, reports the Irish Mirror.
Detailing the global distribution of hantavirus, the HPSC explained: “Hantaviruses are found globally, but they are categorized into two main groups depending on where they live and how they affect the body.
“In the Americas, these are known as ‘New World’ hantaviruses and are mostly carried by rodents like deer mice.
“This usually causes a serious lung infection called hanta pulmonary syndrome (HPS). While most hantaviruses only spread from animals to humans, a specific version in South America called the Andes virus is unique because it can occasionally spread between people.
“In Europe and Asia, ‘Old World’ hantaviruses are more common and typically cause a different illness that affects the kidneys. China sees the highest number of cases because of the specific mice that live there, while a milder version is often found in Northern Europe.” Officials outlined several routes through which individuals can catch hantavirus. The primary method involves inhaling contaminated dust particles from rodent urine and faeces.
Additional transmission routes include making contact with contaminated surfaces and subsequently touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes. Authorities noted that while rodent bites can transmit hantavirus, such instances are exceptionally uncommon.
Officials confirmed that hantavirus doesn’t typically transmit between humans, except in cases involving the Andes strain.
Medical authorities also highlighted that symptoms may not emerge for up to eight weeks following exposure. Initial signs include fever, severe fatigue, muscular pain, headaches alongside nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach pain.
More serious presentations can involve breathlessness or persistent coughing, renal complications and or critical respiratory distress.
Those most vulnerable include individuals working or spending time in countryside or farming environments, people cleaning or refurbishing disused structures, or anyone with regular rodent exposure.
The HPSC has also confirmed that the threat to the Irish population remains “extremely low”, particularly for those who haven’t travelled to impacted regions.
Currently, two Irish women who were passengers aboard the hantavirus-affected MV Hondius are self-isolating following their return from Tenerife on Sunday.
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