[Human hantavirus diseases - still neglected zoonoses?]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hantavirus disease is the most common rodent-borne viral infection in the Czech Republic.
• Four hantaviruses (Puumala, Dobrava-Belgrade, Tula, and Seewis) circulate in the country.
• Puumala and Dobrava-Belgrade viruses are known to cause human disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of hantaviruses in the Czech Republic.
• To detail their geographical distribution and clinical symptoms.
• To assess the potential emergence of neglected hantavirus infections.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies published over the past three decades.
• Analysis of hantavirus epidemiology and clinical manifestations.
• Inclusion of recent findings on Tula and Seoul virus infections.

Main Results:

• Puumala virus causes nephropathia epidemica (mild hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome).
• Dobrava-Belgrade virus causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
• Tula virus has been detected in an immunocompromised individual.

Conclusions:

• Hantavirus infections are endemic in the Czech Republic.
• Understanding geographical distribution and clinical symptoms is crucial.
• Emergence of neglected hantavirus infections is a potential future concern.