Coyhaique, Aysén, Chile
Andes hantavirus HPS · Aysén Region (XI), southern Chile · preliminary historical
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Summary
Outbreak of 25 hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases attributable to Andes virus in southern Chile between July 1997 and January 1998, including three recognized family clusters. Investigation was centered in Regions X (Los Lagos / Llanchipal) and XI (Aysén), with the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus) implicated as reservoir. From October 1995 through January 1998, Chile had recognized 33 HPS cases overall, with a case-fatality rate of 54%; the deaths value here is the proportional estimate (~14) for the 25-case outbreak window.
Why this matters
Established HPS as endemic across southern Chile, identified Andes virus as the etiologic agent in the country, and prompted Chilean MINSAL to build out hantavirus surveillance and infection-control protocols. Joint investigation by Chilean MoH, CDC, PAHO, and Argentine partners.
Sources
- T1 An Outbreak of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Chile, 1997 Emerging Infectious Diseases (CDC) · 2026-05-07
- T1 Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome — Chile, 1997 CDC MMWR · 2026-05-07