The New Mexico Department of Health announced on May 13 that the hantavirus strain found in New Mexico is different from the one linked to a recent cruise ship outbreak and cannot be transmitted between people.
This clarification comes as national news coverage raises concerns about hantavirus infections reported on a cruise ship abroad. State health officials said there is low risk to the general public in New Mexico, and no residents were aboard the affected vessel.
According to state health authorities, the cruise ship cases are caused by Andes hantavirus, which occurs in Argentina and Chile. In contrast, New Mexico’s cases involve Sin Nombre hantavirus, which spreads only through contact with infected rodents or their droppings when disturbed and made airborne. The Sin Nombre virus does not spread person-to-person.
“Andes hantavirus is not new; it has been recognized since the mid-1990’s,” said Dr. Erin Phipps, New Mexico Department of Health state public health veterinarian. “New Mexicans should not worry about the Andes virus in the state.”
Health officials recommend airing out closed buildings before entering, soaking rodent nests or droppings with disinfectant before cleaning them up while wearing gloves and possibly a mask, avoiding vacuuming or sweeping rodent debris, keeping piles of hay or wood away from homes, disposing of trash properly, trapping mice, and sealing homes against rodent entry.
For more information about this virus—including fact sheets in English and Spanish—residents can visit the department’s Hantavirus webpage or call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) or text NMDOH (66364).
