Title
Andes virus and sin nombre virus: Similarities and distinctive features
Authors
Francesco Chiappelli*
Affiliation
Dental Group of Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 & UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90095; *Corresponding author
Francesco Chiappelli - E-mail: Chiappelli.research@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received May 1, 2026; Revised May 31, 2026; Accepted May 31, 2026, Published May 31, 2026
Abstract
The threat of hanta virus infection has come to the forefront in recent weeks, following the outbreak of the Andes virus aboard the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise ship during its Spring 2026 voyage. Several passengers and crew members got infected because Andes virus is the sole known hanta virus to trigger human-to-human infection. All exposed passengers have returned to their countries in Asia, the Americas and Europe, and remain in quarantine to this day because of Andes virus extended incubation period (35-45 days). Several infected patients have died due to Andes high mortality (35-50%). Taken together, the unfolding of these alarming facts has ignited fears of a new hanta virus pandemic. Here, we briefly outline certain among the major similarities and distinctive features between Andes virus and Sin Nombre virus, the two principal hanta viruses known today to infect humans. This writing emphasizes how timely and critical it is to develop concerted research and accelerated testing programs for anti-hanta virus vaccines and antivirals.
Keywords
Immunity, Orthohantavirus (OHV), Sin Nombre Virus (SNV), Andes Virus (ANDV), hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), Gn and GC glycoprotein moieties, nucleocapsid protein (N), beta3(β3)-integrin (CD61), antivirals, vaccine
Citation
Chiappelli et al. Bioinformation 22(5): 2953-2956 (2026)
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
