ARUP Laboratories Monitors Andes Hantavirus and Ebola Outbreaks to Assess Laboratory Testing Needs

ARUP Laboratories is closely monitoring the Andes hantavirus and Ebola Bundibugyo outbreaks to determine what testing might be needed to support U.S. public health efforts. While these outbreaks have increased concerns of infection for many, the risk remains minimal within the U.S.

"We are very vigilant in monitoring these outbreaks and the potential need for testing," said Benjamin Bradley, MD, PhD, ARUP's head of Clinical Operations for Infectious Disease and medical director of Next Generation Sequencing Infectious Disease, Molecular Infectious Disease, Virology, and High Consequence Pathogen Response. "We have the technical expertise on hand to develop testing should those outbreaks become more widespread within the United States," Bradley said.

As a result of its in-house expertise, ARUP Laboratories was able to quickly launch testing in response to previous outbreaks, including the measles virus and influenza A (H5) virus outbreaks in 2025, and the monkeypox virus outbreak in 2022.

Currently, there are no confirmed cases of Andes hantavirus infection in the United States following the virus outbreak that occurred on the M/V Hondius cruise ship. One previously reported hantavirus case was subsequently confirmed to be negative after additional laboratory testing, according to the World Health Organization. The Ebola outbreak is mostly limited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda.

"Diagnostic testing for Andes virus or Ebola should only be considered for patients who have a strong epidemiological link to one of these events and present with corresponding symptoms," Bradley said. "Clinicians should work closely with their local public health department for assistance with testing."

Hantavirus infection can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a flu-like condition that can progress to severely affect heart and lung function. Ebola disease is a rare but often fatal disease that leads to fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and impaired kidney and liver function.

"Patients who have hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or Ebola virus disease are critically ill," Bradley said. "In these cases, testing should be kept as close to the patient as possible to expedite results and management decisions."

To minimize exposure risks, ancillary or supplementary testing to support patients with suspected HCIDs should also be coordinated with local health departments.

"While these outbreaks are serious public health concerns and many may feel the need to be tested, for whatever reason, these viruses are not circulating in the U.S. at this point," Bradley said. "We will continue to monitor this situation closely to support testing needs for health systems and their communities."

As part of its commitment to support clinicians in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases, ARUP released a National Infectious Disease Test Positivity Trends Dashboard earlier this year. The dashboard tracks positivity trends for multiple pathogens and enables clinicians to monitor local pathogen trends.

For additional information and guidance on managing patients with Andes virus or Ebola virus infection, review these CDC resources:

• Hantavirus: 2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: Testing for Potential Infection
• Ebola: Interim Guidance: Public Health Assessment and Management of Travelers Arriving From the Affected Countries During the 2026 Ebola Outbreak

Kellie Carrigan, [email protected]