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Venezuela Reports Three Hantavirus Deaths, Sets Containment Zone

7/22/2026

Summary

Venezuela Health Ministry Confirms

Venezuela's Ministry of Health confirmed three hantavirus deaths in Anzoategui, citing severe respiratory distress and lung damage.
The ministry launched an investigation and established a containment zone to limit spread.
Officials said the virus spreads through rodent urine, feces or saliva and found no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
The Venezuelan Medical Federation disputed the figures, reporting patients also had high fever and internal bleeding.

Summary

WHO Declares End

WHO declared the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak over in early July, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conclude its response.
The Dutch public health service inspected the MV Hondius on May 29, cleared it for operation, while Argentine scientists ruled out Ushuaia as source of the Andes hantavirus that infected patient zero.
The Andes strain remains the only hantavirus known to spread through close, prolonged human-to-human contact.

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Venezuela Health Ministry Confirms

Venezuela's Ministry of Health confirmed three hantavirus deaths in Anzoategui, citing severe respiratory distress and lung damage.
The ministry launched an investigation and established a containment zone to limit spread.
Officials said the virus spreads through rodent urine, feces or saliva and found no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
The Venezuelan Medical Federation disputed the figures, reporting patients also had high fever and internal bleeding.

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