hantavirus

noun

han·​ta·​vi·​rus ˈhän-tə-ˌvī-rəs  ˈhən-  ˈhan- 

: any of a family (Hantaviridae and especially genus Orthohantavirus) of bunyaviruses transmitted especially by rodent feces and urine and including viruses causing serious pulmonary disease or hemorrhagic fevers marked by renal necrosis

Examples of hantavirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arakawa likely died on Feb. 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but fatal respiratory disease spread by rodents (the environmental assessment released this week revealed that rodent feces, nests, and dead rodents were found on the couple’s property, but not the main home). —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025

Authorities confirmed on March 7 that Betsy died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus, while Hackman — likely alone in the home with his wife’s body for days — died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer's disease. —Jack Smart, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Mice commonly nest in cars or campers and these can cause hantavirus infections. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

As officials wait for the full toxicology report to be released, Mauro wondered if Betsy was being treated for the hantavirus by a medical professional and if any of her medications had a negative effect on her body. —Tracy Wright, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from hanta- (from Hantaan, river in South Korea near where rodents carrying the virus were collected 1974–78) + virus

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hantavirus

• antivirus
• herpesvirus
• parvovirus
• reovirus
• retrovirus
• rhinovirus
• rotavirus
• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus

Medical Definition

hantavirus

noun

han·​ta·​vi·​rus ˈhan-tə-ˌvī-rəs  ˈhən-  ˈhän- 

: any of a family (Hantaviridae and especially genus Orthohantavirus) of bunyaviruses that infect specific rodents as their natural hosts and that include some forms causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in humans following exposure to the virus in airborne particles of rodent urine, feces, or saliva or directly by the bite of a rodent