The most recent case involved journalist and environmental activist Patricio Segura, who died after being hospitalized at Concepcion Regional Hospital.

  According to data from the Ministry of Health (Minsal), the mortality rate so far in 2026 stands at 39 percent—a very high figure compared to the previous year, when the rate was 18 per 100 cases.

  In response to the rise in cases, Minsal declared a hantavirus health alert on July 28, covering the area from the northern Atacama region to Magallanes in the south; this measure will remain in effect until July 31, 2027.

  Here, the hantavirus is transmitted by the long-tailed mouse, which lives in rural and semi-rural areas across most of the country; in severe cases, it causes pulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever.

  The declared alert allows for strengthened surveillance, the timely management of resources, the hiring of specialized personnel, and the direct procurement of medicines.

  The Ministry of Health urged the public to take strict precautions, such as avoiding contact with rodents, ventilating homes, keeping trash covered, and securely storing food.

It also emphasized the importance of watching for symptoms such as fever, severe muscle pain, and difficulty breathing.

jdt/ga/car