90-Second Read: PitCo confirms local Hantavirus risk differs from strain linked to cruise ship outbreak

So far, only one strain of Hantavirus, the Andes strain, is known to spread between people, Carly Senst, Pitkin County Public Health epidemiologist, confirmed to The Aspen Times. The Andes strain, which has been linked to the outbreak on the MV Hondius, is not found in Colorado, and as of May 19, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is not aware of any Coloradans exposed to the Andes strain outbreak. According to a Pitkin County Public Health press release, there were 132 cases of Sin Nombre Virus reported in Colorado between 1992 and 2025, with an average of four cases per year.

So far in 2026, one of the two confirmed cases in the state led to a fatality. Sin Nombre Virus is transmitted from inhaling infected dried rodent urine and feces, which typically gets disturbed during spring cleaning, turns to dust and exposes an individual. Symptom onset for Sin Nombre Virus, according to the release, is typically 14 days after exposure, but it can occur between one and eight weeks after exposure.

According to Senst, Hantavirus presents like all other respiratory illnesses, including a fever, malaise general fatigue and coughing. But from early symptom onset to when it becomes a medical emergency, Senst said, is often extremely quickly. Doing so can create dust that can be inhaled and expose a person to the virus.