Disease comparison
Hantavirus (Andes) vs Ebola
How does Andes hantavirus actually compare to the other emerging viruses people most often ask about? All figures sourced directly from WHO and CDC fact sheets.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-09
Hantavirus (Andes) vs Ebola
| Metric | ANDV | EVD |
|---|---|---|
| Case fatality rate | 30–40% | ~50% (range 25–90%) |
| R0 (basic reproduction number) | <1 (rare P2P clusters) | 1.5–2.5 |
| Incubation period | 2–4 weeks (up to 6) | 2–21 days |
| Transmission mode | Inhaled rodent excreta; rare person-to-person (ANDV only) | Direct contact with body fluids; safe-burial practices critical |
| Person-to-person spread | Limited | Yes |
| Treatment available | Supportive care, oxygen, ECMO; ribavirin investigational | Two monoclonal antibody therapies licensed (Inmazeb, Ebanga); supportive care |
| Vaccine available | None licensed | Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV, licensed 2019); Zabdeno/Mvabea regimen |
| Geographic distribution | Argentina, Chile, with imported clusters worldwide (2026) | Sub-Saharan Africa; sporadic exports |
| First identified | 1995 | 1976 |
| Virus family | Hantaviridae (Bunyavirales) | Filoviridae |
| Reservoir host | Long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus) | Fruit bats (suspected); primates amplifying host |
Hantavirus (Andes virus, ANDV)
ANDVAndes virus is the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission. The 2026 MV Hondius cluster is being closely watched because its cruise-ship setting matches the close-contact conditions where ANDV chains have appeared historically.
Hantavirus (Andes virus, ANDV)
ANDVAndes virus is the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission. The 2026 MV Hondius cluster is being closely watched because its cruise-ship setting matches the close-contact conditions where ANDV chains have appeared historically.
- First identified
- 1995
- Virus family
- Hantaviridae (Bunyavirales)
- Reservoir host
- Long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus)
Ebola virus disease (Zaire)
EVDEbola is highly lethal but requires direct contact with body fluids to transmit. The licensure of Ervebo in 2019 and effective monoclonal antibodies have transformed outbreak response.
Ebola virus disease (Zaire)
EVDEbola is highly lethal but requires direct contact with body fluids to transmit. The licensure of Ervebo in 2019 and effective monoclonal antibodies have transformed outbreak response.
- First identified
- 1976
- Virus family
- Filoviridae
- Reservoir host
- Fruit bats (suspected); primates amplifying host
Sources: WHO and US CDC topic pages.
Disease comparison →