News
2 August 2010
Hantavirus in Germany - update
This updates the News item of 15 March 2010.
An increased number of hantavirus infections have been reported in Germany, particularly in the states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria [1]. Between January and April 2010, a total of 396 cases were reported throughout Germany [1]. This compares with 13 cases reported during the same period of 2009, and 232 in 2007, the year that previously had the highest number of reported cases (1,688 for the entire year) [1].
According to a more recent media report, as of 27 July 2010, the total number of cases reported in Baden-Württemberg has increased to 736 since the beginning of the year [2].
The unusually high number of cases is thought to be due to an increase in the red-backed vole population in the area. Voles are one of the main reservoirs for hantavirus.
Hantavirus infection
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses belonging to the family Bunyaviridae and rodents are the reservoir hosts. Humans acquire hantaviruses when they inhale virus particles from rodent excreta (urine, faeces or saliva).
Hantaviruses cause two major clinical syndromes, although there can be a spectrum of severity: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Puumala hantavirus is the most common hantavirus infection in Europe and usually causes a mild form of HFRS. Symptoms of Puumala hantavirus occur one to four weeks following exposure and include fever, headache, myalgia, gastrointestinal upset, eye pain and blurred vision, and have a case fatality rate of less than one percent.
No specific treatment is available and most cases resolve spontaneously over two to three weeks.
Advice for travellers
The risk of hantavirus infection in most travellers is low. However, those who may be in close proximity with rodents, such as travellers undertaking activities in rural areas, e.g. camping, should take the following precautions:
- Avoid direct contact with rodents or their excreta
- Areas used by rodents should be moistened and cleaned with disinfectant and then vacuumed whilst wearing a mask and gloves.
- Take measures to avoid attracting rodents, such as keeping food covered and not storing firewood inside.
There is no vaccine to protect against hantavirus infection.
Information on the specific health risks for travellers to Germany can be found on the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages.
References
1. Faber MS, Ulrich RG, Frank C et al. Steep rise in notified hantavirus in Germany, April 2010. Euro Surveill. 2010;15(20):pii,19574. [Accessed 30 July 2010]. Available at: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/images/dynamic/EE/V15N20/
2. ProMED-mail. Hantavirus update 2010 – Europe (04): Germany. ProMED-mail 2010; 29 Jul: 20100729.2546. [Accessed 2 August 2010]. Available at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:53103::NO
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