Chile has declared a nationwide sanitary emergency due to an…
Chile has declared a nationwide sanitary emergency due to an increase in deaths from hantavirus, with 46 cases and 18 fatalities reported since the beginning of 2026, surpassing the previous year's numbers. The measure will remain in effect until July 31, 2027.
Consensus
- Chile has declared a sanitary-epidemiological alert nationwide due to an increase in hantavirus-related deaths.
- The alert is effective from the start of 2026 until July 31, 2027.
- Since the beginning of 2026 and up to the previous week, there have been 46 confirmed cases of hantavirus infection in Chile.
- Of those 46 cases, 18 resulted in death.
- In 2025, there were 44 reported cases and 8 deaths from hantavirus.
- The alert does not indicate an epidemic or overload of the healthcare system.
- Long-tailed mice are identified as carriers of the hantavirus, and they remain active year-round.
- Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents, ventilate sealed spaces before entering, and clean unused buildings using water and chlorine-based products.
Points of divergence
- The measure is being applied for the first time in relation to this virus. — riamo
- The World Health Organization reported on July 2 that the Andes hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship had ended, as stated by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. — vedomosti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Chile declares health alert due to rise in hantavirus deaths — РИАМО
- Chile declares health alert due to rise in hantavirus deaths — Ведомости