Hantavirus Can Affect the Brain and Nerves in Rare Cases, a New Review of the Literature Finds

The review in JAMA Neurology, written by Avindra Nath, MD, of the National Institutes of Health, synthesizes existing case reports and small studies on brain and nerve involvement in hantavirus infection. Neurologic complications are uncommon. There are no FDA-approved antivirals and no licensed vaccines for hantavirus infection, though some vaccines are in preclinical trials. People who survived hantavirus infection, including passengers from the Hondius outbreak, have a more specific takeaway. Developing Story TimelineJuly 2026: A review in JAMA Neurology synthesizes published evidence on neurologic and pituitary complications of hantavirus infection.