hantavirus
noun
han·ta·vi·rus
ˈhän-tə-ˌvī-rəs 
ˈhən-
ˈhan-
ˈhən-
ˈhan-
: any of a family (Hantaviridae and especially genus Orthohantavirus) of bunyaviruses transmitted especially by rodent feces and urine and including viruses causing serious pulmonary disease or hemorrhagic fevers marked by renal necrosis
Examples of hantavirus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In March, authorities confirmed that Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
—
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 12 June 2025
The married couple was found dead in their home in New Mexico, a state with one of the highest national tallies of hantavirus infections.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
Arakawa likely died on Feb. 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but fatal respiratory disease spread by rodents (the environmental assessment released this week revealed that rodent feces, nests, and dead rodents were found on the couple’s property, but not the main home).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Authorities confirmed on March 7 that Betsy died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus, while Hackman — likely alone in the home with his wife’s body for days — died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer's disease.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hantavirus
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Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 12 June 2025
The married couple was found dead in their home in New Mexico, a state with one of the highest national tallies of hantavirus infections.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
Arakawa likely died on Feb. 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but fatal respiratory disease spread by rodents (the environmental assessment released this week revealed that rodent feces, nests, and dead rodents were found on the couple’s property, but not the main home).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Authorities confirmed on March 7 that Betsy died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus, while Hackman — likely alone in the home with his wife’s body for days — died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer's disease.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hantavirus
Cite this Entry
“Hantavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hantavirus. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hantavirus
noun
han·ta·vi·rus
ˈhan-tə-ˌvī-rəs
ˈhən-
ˈhän-
ˈhən-
ˈhän-
: any of a family (Hantaviridae and especially genus Orthohantavirus) of bunyaviruses that infect specific rodents as their natural hosts and that include some forms causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in humans following exposure to the virus in airborne particles of rodent urine, feces, or saliva or directly by the bite of a rodent
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