About
- Level: Laboratory Advisory
- Audience: Clinical Laboratory Professionals
LOCS message
On May 18, 2026, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Update on the 2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: Testing for Potential Infection. This HAN informs clinicians about testing and consultation that are available for Andes virus and other hantaviruses endemic to the United States, South America, and other nations. Hantavirus disease can cause severe illness and can be fatal. The infection risk to the American public remains extremely low.
Please review the HAN for recommendations and resources for clinicians and public health practitioners, health departments, laboratories, and for the public.
We encourage you to share this message widely with your network(s).
Opt in to receive updates from the CDC Laboratory Outreach Communication System.
Resources
- About Hantavirus | CDC
- About Andes Virus | CDC
- Clinician Briefing: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome | CDC
- Hantavirus Disease Trainings for Healthcare Professionals | CDC
- Interim Guidance for Public Health Assessment and Management of People with Potential Exposure to Andes Virus I Hantavirus | CDC
- Hantavirus Care Definition and Reporting | CDC
Contact us
Please use the information below if you have questions.
- If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
- For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
- For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.
Thank you,
The Laboratory Outreach Communication System
Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS)
Office of Laboratory Systems and Response (OLSR)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
LOCS@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/locs/php/about/