Brazil recorded seven cases of hantavirus infection in 2026 through April, with one death. The disease, endemic in rural areas, maintains a fatality rate of around 40%.
Health Ministry data show Brazil accumulated 2,429 confirmed hantavirus cases between 1993 and 2025, resulting in 997 deaths. Most records occur in rural zones of the South, Southeast and Center-West, linked to agricultural activities.
The fatality rate in Brazil stands near 40%, close to the worldwide average of 46.5% according to the WHO. The virus triggers an intense inflammatory response, requiring rapid diagnosis and hospitalization, which is not always possible in remote areas.
Experts note that the Andes strain, responsible for recent cases on a South American cruise ship, does not circulate in Brazil. Transmission occurs mainly through inhalation of particles from urine, feces or saliva of wild rodents.
In 2025, Fiocruz and UFRJ developed a rapid test that detects IgM antibodies in up to 20 minutes. The kit has already received Anvisa registration and aims to reduce underreporting in regions with limited laboratory access.
