Inside the Race to Develop a Test for the Rare Andes Hantavirus
WIRED • • world
Key Points:
- The University of Nebraska Medical Center developed a rare PCR diagnostic test for the Andes hantavirus to quickly identify infections in American passengers returning from a cruise with an outbreak, potentially making it the only lab in the US with this capability.
- The CDC currently only has a serological test for hantavirus antibodies, which detect infection later in the disease, and a research-only PCR test for Andes virus that is not yet validated for clinical use.
- Nebraska’s lab collaborated with experts at the University of New Mexico to obtain genetic material and reagents needed to build and validate the Andes virus PCR test, completing validation within days to enable early detection and treatment.
- Early diagnosis is critical since Andes virus has a high fatality rate (~35%) and causes severe lung complications; although no specific antiviral drugs exist, supportive care can significantly improve survival.
- State-level hantavirus testing capacity is limited, with a few states able to run antibody tests and some working to implement PCR testing, but widespread testing infrastructure is not anticipated due to the virus’s limited exposure compared to pandemics like COVID-19.