The Importance of Ophthalmic Monitoring in Response to the 2026 Hantavirus Outbreak

Category	Detail
Condition	Hantavirus Infection
Key Mechanisms	Transmission primarily through aerosolized excrement from infected rodents; Andes virus has documented person-to-person spread.
Target Population	Individuals exposed to Andes virus, particularly during outbreaks.
Care Setting	Ophthalmology clinics and emergency departments.

Ocular manifestations of hantavirus infection are largely undefined, particularly for Andes virus.
Ophthalmologists can contribute to outbreak surveillance and identification of ocular involvement.
The CDC has issued a Health Alert Network advisory for heightened clinical vigilance during the outbreak.
Ocular symptoms associated with Puumala virus include transient myopia and various anterior segment abnormalities.
Infection-control measures are critical during ophthalmic assessments of suspected hantavirus cases.

Ophthalmologists should assess patients with suspected or confirmed hantavirus infection.

Document and report findings from ophthalmic assessments to contribute to the understanding of Andes virus ocular phenotype.

Potential for person-to-person transmission during close contact, particularly during ophthalmic examinations.

Patients with suspected or confirmed hantavirus infection.

Standardized examinations are necessary to gather evidence on ocular manifestations.

Implement airborne infection isolation for patients with confirmed or suspected Andes virus infection.
Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment including N95 respirators during examinations.