Hantavirus explicado
Hantaviruses are a family of zoonotic RNA viruses with over 40 known species worldwide, of which more than 20 are pathogenic to humans.
Important human-pathogenic hantaviruses
- 01Puumala (PUUV) — bank vole, Europe, mild HFRS
- 02Dobrava (DOBV) — yellow-necked mouse, Balkans, severe HFRS, lethality up to 12%
- 03Hantaan (HTNV) — striped field mouse, East Asia, classical severe HFRS
- 04Seoul (SEOV) — Norway rat, urban worldwide, moderate HFRS
- 05Sin Nombre (SNV) — deer mouse, North America, HPS, lethality ~36%
- 06Andes (ANDV) — long-tailed rice rat, South America, HPS, lethality >40%
Virus family
Hantaviruses belong to the order Bunyavirales, family Hantaviridae. Each virus is closely tied to a specific rodent host species, which determines geographic distribution.
Host species
Reservoirs are small mammals – mice, rats, voles, squirrels, shrews, moles and bats. The virus does not cause disease in the host, but is shed throughout life.
Diagnostics
Serology (IgM/IgG ELISA), RT-PCR from blood/plasma in early phase, neutralization tests for typing. Lab clues: thrombocytopenia, elevated creatinine and transaminases.
Treatment
No specific antiviral therapy is approved. Supportive: fluid and electrolyte management, renal replacement in HFRS, ECMO in severe HPS. Early ICU admission significantly improves prognosis.
Vaccines
Inactivated Hantaan/Seoul vaccines are licensed in China and South Korea. No vaccine is available in Europe or the Americas — several candidates are in clinical trials.
Pulse Pro – uncut dossiers
Full epidemiological profiles, real-time alerts for your regions, API access and uncut outbreak reports.
Pulse Pro launches later this year. We will reach out personally before launch.