hantavirus

han·ta·vi·rus

noun \ˈhän-tə-ˌvī-rəs, ˈhən-, ˈhan-\

Definition of HANTAVIRUS

: any of a genus (Hantavirus) of bunyaviruses transmitted especially by rodent feces and urine and including viruses causing serious pulmonary disease or hemorrhagic fevers marked by renal necrosis

Origin of HANTAVIRUS

New Latin, from hanta- (from Hantaan, river in South Korea near where rodents carrying the virus were collected 1974–78) + virus

First Known Use: 1984

Rhymes with HANTAVIRUS

arbovirus, bearded iris, echovirus, herpesvirus, lentivirus, parvovirus, rhinovirus, rotavirus, West Nile virus