In an era marked by the accelerating emergence of zoonotic pathogens, hantaviruses remain a paradoxical threat well documented, yet persistently underestimated in global preparedness frameworks. . According to the recent WHO fact sheet, hantaviruses are rodent-borne zoonotic viruses that cause two main clinical syndromes: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and Asia, and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the Americas. WHO also notes that HCPS may have a case fatality rate of up to 50%, and that there is no specific curative treatment or widely available vaccine, with management relying on early supportive care and monitoring for respiratory, cardiovascular, and renal complications. Globally, hantavirus infections are estimated to range from 10,000 to more than 100,000 cases annually, with the largest burden reported in Asia and Europe. Although the Americas report comparatively fewer cases, HCPS remains particularly concerning due to its high mortality and rapid clinical deterioration. These epidemiological realities challenge the perception of hantavirus as a rare or geographically limited pathogen. Instead, they suggest a persistent zoonotic reservoir capable of causing severe disease whenever ecological and behavioral conditions align. A central concern is the increasing ecological instability shaping host–pathogen dynamics. Hantaviruses are maintained in specific rodent reservoirs, and transmission to humans typically occurs through inhalation of aerosolized virus particles from contaminated urine, droppings, or saliva. Environmental disturbances, including climate variability, deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban encroachment can significantly alter rodent population density and distribution, thereby increasing opportunities for spillover events. |