The city of Mar del Plata is going through a moment of maximum healthcare Following the confirmation of the first death from hantavirus in the General Pueyrredón district, local and provincial authorities have reinforced surveillance and prevention protocols, in a context where this viral disease had already been generating concern in various parts of Argentina.
The case adds to a complex epidemiological situation Nationally, there has been an increase in infections and a high mortality rate, affecting mainly young men involved in rural activities. Although in Europe hantavirus is more commonly associated with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, the outbreak in Mar del Plata has brought this type of virus back into focus from a European public health perspective, where there is a history of outbreaks in rural areas.
The case that set off alarms in Mar del Plata
The victim is a man of 33 years, resident in the semi-rural area of Mountains of the Priestsin the General Pueyrredón district. According to information released by the Municipal Health Secretariat and Health Region VIII, the patient began with symptoms at the end of November 2025, initially consistent with a flu-like illness.
As time went on, man evolved into a severe respiratory distress, so he was treated at the Interzonal General Acute Hospital (HIGA) from Mar del Plata. Despite the assistance received in intensive care, his condition deteriorated rapidly and he ended up dying in the health center.
The definitive diagnosis was obtained in a postmortem, after sending samples to Malbrán Institutea national leader in this type of analysis. The results confirmed the hantavirus infection and the official notification of the case occurred on January 2, once the laboratory studies are completed.
Health sources detail that the deceased was performing hunting activities in rural settings and practiced the taxidermyThis involves the handling of dead animals for preservation. These practices, closely linked to areas with wild rodents, are considered a clear risk factor for exposure to the virus, especially in areas where the long-tailed mouse is present.
Authorities emphasize that this is the first death from hantavirus registered in Mar del Plata, although the district was already included within the areas under reinforced surveillance due to the circulation of the virus in the province of Buenos Aires.
Immediate response: rodent protocols and control
As soon as the hantavirus suspicion was confirmed, the General Pueyrredón Health Secretariat activated the focus control protocol together with the Epidemiology team of the Health Region VIIIThe first step was to identify the close contacts of the patient, including family members and people from their work environment, to assess possible exposures and clinical follow-up.
Meanwhile, staff from Zoonoses and Pest Control He went to the deceased's home, located in the urban area of Sierra de los Padres, and to the places where he carried out his hunting and taxidermy activities. In those areas, tasks were carried out intensive disinfection y Rat removal throughout the entire area, with the aim of reducing the presence of potentially infected rodents.
As a complementary measure, the Sierra de los Padres Delegation issued a notification to neighboring residents so that they would maintain the short grass, they will perform weeding Post newspapers and avoid accumulating unused items in yards and sheds. These actions aim to eliminate rodent shelters and travel routes near homes.
The municipality emphasizes that it applied “all existing and necessary protocol for this type of event,” including contact tracing, door-to-door health education, and reviewing other potential risk areas in the semi-rural part of the district.
The local Zoonosis director, Pablo AliHe insisted that the intention was not to create panic, but strengthen the dissemination of preventive measuresHowever, remember that hantavirus has a lethality close to 30%Therefore, the population should take the recommendations seriously, especially those who live or work in rural environments.
A national context of increasing cases and high lethality
The death in Mar del Plata occurred in a health alert framework at the Argentine level. According to the latest National Epidemiological Bulletin and reports from the Ministry of Health, between 72 and 77 confirmed cases of hantavirus, with at least 21 to 23 deaths, which implies a lethality close to 30 %These figures make this year the worst since 2019.
La Buenos Aires Province It is among the most affected jurisdictions: some 25 cases with six deathspredominating young men with a history of contact with rural or peri-urban areas. The Sierra de los Padres case fits perfectly into this epidemiological profile.
At the national level, Center Region concentrated near the 64% of infectionswith provinces like Santa Fe and Buenos Aires experiencing a clear outbreak. Northwest Argentina also has a significant incidence, with around 21% of casesespecially in Salta and Jujuy, while Patagonia remains an area of concern due to the aggressiveness of some strains local.
Health authorities point to several factors that could explain the increase in mortality: from the underreporting of mild cases until delays in medical appointmentsbecause the initial symptoms of hantavirus are often confused with flu or dengueThis delays treatment and timely admission to intensive care units.
In addition to the death reported in Mar del Plata, other recent deaths have been reported, such as that of a 14 year old teenager de Saint Andrew of GilesHe was transferred to the San José Interzonal Hospital in Pergamino, where he died after also testing positive for hantavirus. These incidents reinforce the authorities' message about the need to maintain a constant vigilance.
What is hantavirus and how is it transmitted?
hantavirus is a acute viral zoonosis caused by viruses of the family bunyaviridaewhich are distributed worldwide. Depending on the geographic region, they can cause different clinical forms: in America, the predominant form is Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS)while in Asia and Europe it is more common Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome.
In the case of the outbreak recorded in Argentina, the main reservoir is the long-tailed mouse and other wild rodentsThese animals eliminate the virus through the urine, saliva, and feceswhich contaminate the soil, straw, stored materials and surfaces of sheds or rural dwellings.
La most common route of transmission In humans, it is the inhalation of aerosols formed from these contaminated secretions, especially when sweeping, dusting, or cleaning closed environments that have remained without ventilation. The virus can also enter through direct contact with live or dead rodents, their excrement, or by bites.
In certain circumstances, it has been documented that person-to-person transmissionTherefore, respiratory secretions and other fluids from infected patients should be considered potentially dangerousThis aspect requires taking extra precautions in healthcare settings and during the care of patients.
Health organizations insist that the risk increases in rural and peri-urban areasin work activities such as agriculture, livestock farming, hunting, handling firewood or cleaning sheds, and also in recreational activities such as camping in areas with weeds or nearby garbage dumps.
Symptoms and progression of the disease
The onset of hantavirus infection is usually insidious and deceptiveIn the first few days, symptoms very similar to those of a common flu: fever above 38 ºC, muscle pains generalized, severe headache, shaking chills and a marked general malaise.
In many cases, they can be added digestive manifestationsSymptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea also contribute to diagnostic confusion with other common viral infections. In this initial phase, there is usually no significant involvement of the upper respiratory tract.
If the disease progresses to a Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary SyndromeIn a matter of hours or a few days, one is installed severe respiratory distresswith acute pulmonary involvement and, in the most severe cases, respiratory insufficiency and cardiogenic shock. At this point, the need for admission to intensive care units is practically immediate.
Experts point out that there is no specific treatment against the virus. The approach focuses on the hemodynamic and respiratory support in the hospital, so the early detection This is key to improving the prognosis. Anyone with severe flu-like symptoms who has been in rural environments or in contact with rodents in the six weeks priorYou should consult the healthcare system without delay.
In Europe, where other variants of hantavirus exist, a somewhat different clinical picture has been observed, focused on kidney involvement, but the recommendations of early diagnosis and hospital management They follow a similar logic to that being applied in the outbreaks in America.
Prevention measures in homes and rural environments
The most effective way to reduce the risk of infection is avoid contact with rodents and with their secretions. For this reason, the authorities recommend maintaining the clean homes and sheds, without accumulating disused objects where animals can nest, and periodically checking for the presence of droppings or signs of rodent activity.
The importance of is emphasized seal cracks and holes on walls, doors, ceilings, and pipes, using mesh or materials that prevent the entry of small mammals. barns, piles of firewood and vegetable gardens They must be placed at a minimum distance of about 30-40 meters from the house and, whenever possible, raised off the ground to make it difficult for rodents to access them.
It is advisable to keep the grass short around the house. remove weeds and clear brush regularly over a wide radius, at least 30 metersSimilarly, leaving trash or food scraps near the house is discouraged; if there is no collection service, the recommendation is bury the waste safely and at sufficient depth.
Inside and around homes, rodent populations can to be controlled with mechanical trapsAvoiding the use of toxic baits whenever possible, as these can affect other species and pose additional risks to children and pets. In open, wild environments, mass population control is not considered due to their ecological role.
If a live rodent is found inside the home, the recommended course of action is use traps and do not try to catch it with your hands or hit it. If you find a dead animal, it is advisable to spray it with a bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite) along with nearby surfaces, let it act for at least 30 minutes, collect it with gloves and dispose of it by burying it more than 30 centimeters deep or incinerating it.
Safe cleaning and ventilation of enclosed spaces
One of the most repeated recommendations is Ventilate before cleaning Any enclosed space where rodents might have been, whether it be vacant houses, cabins, storage areas, sheds, or disused vehicles. Ideally, doors and windows should be opened at least for a short time. 30 minutes to allow for air exchange.
During cleaning, avoid dry sweeping or using vacuum cleaners that stir up dust. Instead, it is suggested to perform a wet cleaningDampen floors, furniture and surfaces with a mixture of one part bleach to nine parts waterLeave it on, then remove it with cloths or mops. This method reduces the formation of aerosols that could contain viral particles.
It is recommended to protect yourself with gloves and, in high-risk areas, use a N95 type face mask or similar, especially if large amounts of dust are to be removed or air conditioning filters, ventilation ducts and hard-to-reach corners where rodents may have nested are to be cleaned.
In the case of vehicles that have remained closed for days in rural areas, the authorities advise opening doors or windows, turning on the ventilation system with the windows open for a while and, if possible, checking the engine compartment, where rodent nests are sometimes located.
These guidelines, already widespread in some European countries with endemic hantavirus, are considered basic biosecurity measures which are also useful against other rodent-borne and airborne infections.
Recommendations for outdoor activities and camping areas
For those who practice leisure or sport in the natural environment, emphasis is placed on choosing clean camping areas, far from dense weeds and garbage dumpsand avoid sleeping directly on the ground. Tents must have floor and complete enclosure to prevent the entry of small animals.
Food and water should store in sealed containersout of reach of rodents. If potable water is not available, it is advisable to boil it for a few minutes or disinfect it with a few drops of water. drops of bleach in the right proportion, letting it rest before consuming it.
On excursions and rural work, it is preferable not to venture into abandoned shedsDo not leave makeshift shelters or precarious structures unfinished without first ventilating and assessing their condition. Any sign of rodent droppings or active nests should be considered a danger. warning of potential risk.
European authorities, in contexts where outbreaks have been described as being associated with hikers and forestry workers, maintain very similar recommendations: distance from garbage dumps, care with the handling of stored firewood and avoid contact with burrows or contaminated materials.
In Argentina, the Ministry of Health and the Zoonosis departments remind everyone that information and population awareness They are as important as environmental control, which is why there is an emphasis on dissemination campaigns, especially in rural and peri-urban communities.
After First death from hantavirus in Mar del PlataLocal authorities have reacted with outbreak control protocols, disinfection measures, and health education, while national data shows an increase in cases and a high mortality rate in 2025. The patient profile—a young man, resident in a semi-rural area, and involved in hunting and taxidermy—fits the risk factors described for this zoonosis, which remains linked to contact with wild rodents and the inhalation of their secretions in enclosed spaces. In this scenario, both in Argentina and in other territories with hantavirus circulation, the combination of early detection of symptoms, reinforcement of the hospital care and rigorous application of prevention measures in homes, rural work and outdoor activities It is emerging as the best tool available to reduce the impact of the disease.