# Bayou Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome, Louisiana, USA, 2022–2023

## TL;DR

Researchers found Bayou hantavirus in two patients in Louisiana, showing the virus is likely widespread in local rodents.

## Contribution

The study provides direct sequencing evidence of Bayou hantavirus spillover and its probable wide distribution in Louisiana.

## Key findings

- Bayou hantavirus was sequenced from two patients with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in Louisiana.
- The virus shows an inferred evolutionary relationship to previous cases, indicating separate spillover events.
- The findings suggest a probable wide distribution of the virus in rodents across the region.

## Abstract

During 2020–2023, we sequenced Bayou virus from 2 patients in Louisiana, USA, with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. Direct virus sequencing demonstrated an inferred evolutionary relationship to previous cases. Our findings demonstrate that separate virus spillovers cause isolated cases and probable wide distribution of Bayou hantavirus in rodents across Louisiana.