After recent high-profile cases, hantavirus came roaring back into the headlines as a potentially deadly human pathogen.

Hantavirus is spread by rodents — most commonly the deer mouse in the United States. However, a recent study identified fifteen rodent species as carriers in North America and revealed hantavirus hotspots in Virginia, Colorado and Texas.

That said, hantavirus is a global pathogen. It has pandemic potential with symptoms akin to those seen with severe COVID-19. It’s transmitted through aerosolized droppings, urine or saliva from asymptomatic rodent hosts.

In short, hantavirus is more adaptable than we ever knew. Emerging data from studies like this may help us get a foothold on hantavirus before it gets a bigger grip on us.