A 2023 study published in the scientific journal Viruses found hantavirus genetic material in semen up to six years after infection. Researchers focused on the Andes virus—a rare strain linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak and known for its ability to spread between humans.
The study tracked a 55-year-old man who contracted the virus after traveling through Ecuador and Chile in 2016. Although he recovered from the acute stage of the illness, scientists monitored him for nearly six years and repeatedly detected viral RNA in his semen, even after it had disappeared from his blood, urine, and respiratory samples.
Transmission and Clinical Impact of Hantavirus
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through inhalation of particles from the urine, saliva, or feces of infected wild rodents. In uncommon situations, close and prolonged contact can lead to person-to-person transmission. Severe cases may develop into Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS), which can cause respiratory failure.
However, the researchers stressed that the study did not confirm sexual transmission. The tests only identified viral RNA—a genetic trace of the virus—not active virus particles capable of causing infection.
Even so, the discovery raised concerns because it indicates the virus may stay “hidden” in the male reproductive system for years. Researchers believe this persistence may occur in immune-privileged areas such as the testicles, where the body’s immune defenses are less effective.
Scientists were also surprised by how stable the virus remained over time. When they compared samples collected several years apart, they found very few genetic changes, suggesting the virus persisted in the body with minimal activity.
Persistent Immune Response After Infection
The patient also maintained high antibody levels long after the infection, which could mean the immune system was still responding to the lingering viral genetic material.
The authors acknowledge several significant limitations. The study was based on a single patient, which makes it impossible to draw broader conclusions about how common this type of viral persistence might be in other hantavirus cases, whether involving the Andean strain or the more widespread variants typically linked to exposure to infected rodent excrement.
In addition, the case analysis did not examine the possibility of sexual transmission.
Nevertheless, the researchers emphasize that their findings open an important avenue for further investigation into how long the virus may persist in the body. They also suggest that this could eventually lead to more targeted recommendations for patients, including guidance on safe sexual practices after the quarantine period.
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