Hantavirus infections

Abstract

Hantaviruses are the causative agents of the zoonotic diseases known as haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and Asia, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas. These pathogens are maintained in the wild by rodent reservoirs and are mainly transmitted via the aerosol route. The infection is chronic and apparently asymptomatic in host animals. Whilst HFRS is caused by Hantaan, Seoul, Dobrava and Pumala hantaviruses, HPS is associated with Sin Nombre-like viruses. Common clinical features of HFRS and HPS include fever, myalgia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis and a capillary leak syndrome associated with shock in most severe cases. Outbreaks of HFRS and HPS are generally observed during years with dense rodent populations resulting from favourable climatic and environmental conditions. Human activities, such as rodent trapping, farming, cleaning rodent-infested areas, construction work, camping and hunting, are also implicated in the occurrence of hantavirus disease. Prophylactic measures in endemic areas rely essentially on information campaigns and rodent control.

Emerging zoonoses and pathogens of public health significance – an overview

“…Emerging diseases are occurring at an unprecedented rate in animal and human populations and are causing major consternation for both public health and veterinary communities. The OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health), established in 1924 as the premier multilateral body overseeing global animal health, published a major review on zoonotic diseases, 'An update on zoonoses' (25), in 2000, 76 years after the organisation was founded. Now, only four years later, comes a second publication, 'Emerging zoonoses and pathogens of public health significance'.…”