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Outbreak of Puumala virus infection, Sweden

Lisa Pettersson1, Jens Boman, Per Juto

  • 1Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|April 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A large Puumala virus outbreak caused 313 cases of nephropathia epidemica per 100,000 people in Sweden. Milder weather, reduced snow, and increased rodents likely fueled this significant public health event.

Area of Science:

  • * Infectious disease epidemiology
  • * Environmental health science
  • * Zoonotic disease surveillance

Background:

  • * Puumala virus (PUUV) causes nephropathia epidemica (NE), a zoonotic disease affecting kidneys.
  • * Sweden experienced a notable increase in NE cases in 2007.
  • * Environmental factors are known to influence rodent populations and subsequent virus transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To report on the scale and characteristics of the 2007 Puumala virus outbreak in Västerbotten County, Sweden.
  • * To identify potential contributing factors to the outbreak's magnitude.

Main Methods:

  • * Retrospective analysis of reported nephropathia epidemica cases in Västerbotten County.
  • * Correlation with environmental data, including weather patterns and snow cover.
  • * Assessment of rodent population dynamics in the affected region.

Main Results:

  • * An incidence rate of 313 NE patients per 100,000 persons was recorded in Västerbotten County in 2007.
  • * The outbreak was significantly larger than in previous years.
  • * Preliminary findings suggest a link between the outbreak and an increase in rodent populations, milder weather conditions, and reduced snow cover.

Conclusions:

  • * The 2007 outbreak highlights the significant public health impact of Puumala virus infections.
  • * Environmental changes, particularly those favoring rodent proliferation, are critical factors in predicting and managing NE outbreaks.
  • * Enhanced surveillance and understanding of host-pathogen-environment interactions are crucial for future prevention strategies.

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