Hantavirus infections in Europe: from virus carriers to a major public-health problem.
In Europe, hantavirus disease or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is an endemic zoonosis that affects tens of thousands of individuals each year. The causative agents are viruses of the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae, rodents and insectivores act as carriers. In all European countries there is a seroprevalence for hantaviruses in the general population but not all countries report cases. Here, we give an overview of the hantavirus situation in Europe.
Heyman
Paul
P
Research Laboratory for Vector-borne Diseases, National Reference Laboratory for Hantavirus Infections, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium. paul.heyman@mil.be
Vaheri
Antti
A
Lundkvist
Ake
A
Avsic-Zupanc
Tatjana
T
D000818:Animals; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006476:Orthohantavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D006480:Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D029262:Puumala virus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051381:Rats; D012377:Rodentia / Q000821:virology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology