Overview
- The victim, Mía Rodríguez, died on January 8 in rural Chas, General Belgrano, with the diagnosis confirmed in the national SISA system in coordination with provincial health authorities.
- General Belgrano implemented a sanitary blockade that included desmalezamiento, fumigation, desratization, and active monitoring of close contacts.
- Buenos Aires Province has at least four confirmed hantavirus deaths in early 2026, including cases linked to Pergamino (San Andrés de Giles), Chacabuco/Junín, and Mar del Plata.
- National surveillance reports show the July–December 2025 period reached the alert threshold, with 86 infections and 28 deaths (33.6% case fatality) and the Region Centro designated in outbreak conditions for the 2025–2026 season.
- The virus is chiefly transmitted from rodents via inhalation of contaminated dust, and authorities urge ventilating closed spaces, sealing entry points, disinfecting with hypochlorite solutions, and using N95 protection during cleanups.