Health authorities in Victoria have updated disease reporting rules, requiring doctors and laboratories to urgently report any suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus infection from 4 June 2026.

Hantavirus is a virus carried by rodents and can lead to serious illness in humans. While it is found mainly in parts of Asia, Europe, and the Americas, there have been no recorded cases in Australia so far.

Under the new rules, healthcare professionals must notify the Victorian Department of Health within 24 hours if they suspect or confirm a case. Laboratories are also required to submit written reports within five working days.

The virus spreads mainly through contact with infected rodents or exposure to areas contaminated by their urine, droppings, or saliva. In rare cases, infection may occur by inhaling dust contaminated with the virus. Person-to-person spread is extremely uncommon and has only been linked to one strain of the virus.

People most at risk include travellers to affected regions and individuals exposed to rodent-infested environments such as farms, forests, or poorly maintained buildings.

Symptoms may appear one to eight weeks after exposure and can range from mild flu-like illness to severe and life-threatening disease.

In the Americas, infection may lead to severe lung complications, starting with fever and body aches and quickly progressing to breathing failure. In parts of Europe and Asia, it can cause a different illness affecting the kidneys, with symptoms such as fever, bleeding problems, low blood pressure, and kidney damage.

Death rates vary depending on the strain, ranging from low levels in some regions to very high rates in severe cases in the Americas.

Diagnosis is confirmed through specialised blood tests, usually done early in the illness. Further testing requires approval from health authorities and specialist laboratories.

Doctors are advised to consider hantavirus in patients with relevant symptoms and travel or exposure history and to seek specialist advice quickly if suspected cases arise.

Source: Department of Health Victoria clinical advisory (2026)