Argentina travel advisory flags Rosario crime and Andes virus risk

Andes virus notice and Rosario crime warning

The U.S. State Department keeps Argentina at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions overall, but the current advisory carries a health indicator tied to Andes virus and a separate Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution designation for the city of Rosario in Santa Fe province. The Rosario carve-out cites active criminal and narcotics trafficking elements driving increased crime and violence, per the advisory.

On the health side, the CDC has issued a Level 1 Travelers' Health Notice for Andes virus, a hantavirus endemic to parts of Argentina and Chile. The CDC first flagged a multi-country cruise-ship cluster through a Health Alert Network advisory on May 8, 2026, then followed with a testing-focused update on May 17, 2026, both stating overall risk to the American public remains extremely low.

Who the advisory reaches

The advisory applies to all U.S. citizens in Argentina, with no distinction between tourists, expats and remote workers. Geography does the sorting: country-wide health guidance plus a Rosario-specific crime tier.

Higher exposure to Andes virus correlates with prolonged rural stays, outdoor work or close contact with rodents or sick individuals, rather than short urban visits, the CDC said. Short-stay visitors and longer-term residents in central Rosario districts carry the bulk of the crime risk noted in the State Department text and U.S. government personnel must give advance notice before traveling to the city.

Practical steps for travelers

No new entry requirements, fees or vaccination mandates flow from either change. Argentina's standard rules apply, including at least six months of passport validity.

For Andes virus, the CDC recommends:

• Avoiding rodent-infested areas and securing food and lodging against rodents
• Frequent hand-washing and avoiding shared drinks, utensils or cigarettes with anyone who may be ill
• Keeping distance from suspected cases, since person-to-person spread through prolonged close contact is documented

There is no vaccine or specific antiviral; incubation runs 4 to 42 days and early supportive care improves survival in severe Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome cases.

In Rosario, the State Department advises careful neighborhood and transport choices and avoiding areas tied to narcotics activity. Travelers can check current visa updates before booking.

Read our full Argentina guide for the complete picture.