Strategies for developing anti-Hantavirus drugs

Hantavirus is a zoonotic enveloped RNA virus belonging to the Bunyavirales order and an emerging global pathogen. The Old World strains that spread in Eurasia can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which is characterized by kidney damage and systemic vascular damage. In contrast, the New World variant unique to the Americas can lead to the rapid development of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), mainly damaging heart and lung tissues. In May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of hantavirus infection aboard a polar expedition cruise ship that had departed from Argentina in April. The first cases emerged on April 6, with eight confirmed infections subsequently identified. As of May 7, three fatalities had been reported, prompting widespread attention and concern. So far, there is no globally approved antiviral therapy or human prophylactic vaccine for treating Hantavirus infection. This unmet medical need highlights the urgency of developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for Hantavirus disease. Therefore, we summarize recent advances in therapeutic strategies against hantavirus infection, including antiviral agents and immunomodulatory approaches designed to enhance the host’s capacity to control viral replication and disease progression, thereby potentially reducing the risk of severe illness.