Hantavirus Emergence in a Changing World: Virology, Pathogenesis, Surveillance, and One Health Preparedness

Hantaviruses are emerging rodent-borne pathogens that pose increasing global public health concerns due to their association with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), both of which can result in substantial morbidity and mortality. Environmental change, climate variability, urbanization, and land-use transformation are increasingly recognized as critical drivers of hantavirus emergence and transmission. This review summarizes current evidence regarding hantavirus virology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, surveillance systems, prevention strategies, and One Health preparedness approaches. Emphasis is placed on the influence of climate change and ecological disruption on rodent reservoir dynamics and spillover risk, as well as major surveillance and diagnostic gaps in tropical and Caribbean regions where hantavirus circulation may be underrecognized. Advances in molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, vaccine development, monoclonal antibody therapies, and climate-based early warning systems are also discussed. Existing evidence highlights the importance of integrated One Health surveillance systems that combine human, animal, and environmental monitoring to improve early detection and outbreak preparedness. Strengthening laboratory capacity, ecological surveillance, regional collaboration, and public health infrastructure will be essential for reducing the global burden of hantavirus infections and improving preparedness for future zoonotic disease threats.