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Hantavirus Antibody (IgG, IgM)

Test Code: 37547

 

Hantaviruses are a group of global zoonotic viruses in the Orthohantavirus genus. They are generally divided into 2 groups, New World and Old World hantaviruses, based on geographic distribution.1

Sin Nombre virus, a New World hantavirus, is endemic in the United States, and Andes virus, also a New World hantavirus, is endemic in parts of South America. Andes virus is the strain that has been associated with the May 2026 cluster of cases on a cruise ship.2

Hantavirus is not common in the United States. Most cases occur in states west of Mississippi. At the end of 2023, 890 cases had been reported since surveillance started in 1993.3,4

Transmission is typically through inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta or nesting materials infected with hantavirus. While rare, Andes is the only strain of hantavirus that has been documented to spread from person-to-person through prolonged close contact with an infected person.

The time from exposure to onset of symptoms ranges from 1 to 8 weeks. The average incubation period for Andes virus is 2 to 3 weeks but can be up to 42 days.  

Clinical evaluation along with exposure history are important for diagnosis.

Laboratory testing for antibody or viral detection can be performed in symptomatic patients with clinical suspicion of hantavirus.

Testing for IgM and IgG antibodies is available through CDC, local public health departments, and Quest Diagnostics. Viral detection using a molecular test (ie, PCR) is only available through local public health departments.

The criteria to report a hantavirus-positive case is based on the national case definition, which includes clinical symptoms compatible with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or non-HPS and acute laboratory diagnostic results.5,6 Laboratory criteria to support diagnosis include an IgM positivity, IgG positivity with rising titers, RNA detection, or antigen detection by immunohistochemistry in tissue. 

Quest offers antibody testing for hantavirus. It is a bead-based immunoassay for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against Sin Nombre virus. 

The Quest immunoassay is for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against Sin Nombre virus, a New World hantavirus endemic in the United States. The assay is expected to detect but not differentiate several hantaviruses, including Andes virus, which is also a New World hantavirus. 

A panel of samples, including healthy blood donors, samples positive for other conditions, including autoimmune, bacterial, and tickborne diseases, were tested on the Hantavirus Antibody test, and >98% of the samples were negative.

Based on a limited inclusivity panel, detection of other New World hantaviruses is expected, including Andes virus.

Samples verified by the public health department were used for method comparison. Results demonstrated greater than 95% overall agreement between expected and observed results. 

A sample with positive IgM and IgG in a patient with a compatible clinical picture and risk factors can be supportive of hantavirus infection. Viral RNA and antibodies are expected to be detected within the first week of illness. 

Table. Summary of Hantavirus Laboratory Results
  Test Acute Detection  DurationQuest Test Availability
   IgM          May be deteced as early as the first week post symptom onsetDeclines after several weeks to months post infection

TC 37547

Hantavirus Antibody (IgG, IgM)

   IgG   Often detected at clinical presentation

Can persist for years after exposure

Viral detection 

(ie, PCR)

Viral RNA within the first week post symptom onset RNA levels quickly decline after the first week of infection but may be detected up to several weeks post symptom onset

Not offered by Quest;

please contact the local public health department. 

 

Testing is not recommended in asymptomatic individuals, since this can result in false positive results. Laboratory results should be interpreted in the context of clinical presentation and risk factors.

If results are negative and there is high clinical suspicion of a hantavirus infection, contact the public health department for follow-up testing. 

References

  1. Vial PA, Ferres M, Vial C, et al. Hantavirus in humans: a review of clinical aspects and management. Lancet Infect Dis. 2023;23(9):e371-e382. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00128-7
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship. Published May 8, 2026. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00528.html
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reported cases of hantavirus disease. Published Apr 23, 2026. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/data-research/cases/index.html
  4. Whitmer SLM, Whitesell A, Mobley M, et al. Human Orthohantavirus disease prevalence and genotype distribution in the U.S., 2008-2020: a retrospective observational study. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2024;37:100836. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2024.100836
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
  6. 2015 Case Definition. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome-2015/
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hantavirus infection, non-hantavirus pulmonary syndrome 2015 case definition. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome-2015/

 

This FAQ is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. A physician’s test selection and interpretation, diagnosis, and patient management decisions should be based on the physician’s education, clinical expertise, and assessment of the patient.

 

Document FAQS.334 Version: 0

Version 0: Effective 05/13/2026 to present

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