Increase in hantavirus infections

Robert Koch Institute: The number of hantavirus infections has risen rapidly in Germany.

(27.07.2010) According to the Robert Koch Institute, the number of Hantavirus infections in Germany has increased. Compared to the previous year, the infection rate is 45 times higher than before.

By July 2010, 1148 cases had already been reported to the Institute. In the same period of 2009, there were just 25 cases. This was reported by the Berlin Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in its latest report. In humans, the virus infection can cause symptoms such as very high fever, headache, abdominal pain, back pain and eye bleeding (blood in the eye). In addition, an acute failure of the kidneys in extreme cases is possible. So far, no fatalities caused by hantavirus have been reported to the institute. The incubation period until onset of the disease is usually 12 to 21 days.

But how is the disease transmitted? Hantaviruses are most commonly transmitted by red chickens living in the woods. However, the mice also live more and more in corridors, cellars and attics. The health experts assume that a rapid increase of the mice is most likely responsible for the fact that there has been a massive increase in the incidence rate in Germany. Susanne Glasmacher from the Robert Koch Institute assumes that the mice had enough beechnuts to eat this year. In addition, the thick winter snow cover protected the animals from natural predators.

Already in 2007, an increase in hantavirus infections was recorded. Even then, an increase in the red chickens was responsible. In 2007, about 1700 cases had been reported to the RKI. Since hantavirus diseases in Germany have only been notifiable since 2001, however, no precise comparisons can be made. But how exactly can the mice transmit the disease??

The viruses are transmitted via the urine, feces, but also via the saliva of the animals. This collects in the dust of rural areas. For example, when people come into contact with the urine or feces during cleaning, the pathogen can spread. Another possibility is the transmission pathway via the respiratory tract. This happens especially when the mice live in the house. Most of the mice are found in barns, sheds, stables and abandoned houses.

But a panic would be exaggerated, because not all mice have the harmful agent in them. In addition, simple but effective hygiene measures can reduce the risk of infection. If you clean your house, you should wear a mask and gloves. If mice are found in the house, it is advisable to order an exterminator. Because the best precaution is to free the house of mice.

Where did the most common cases of Hantavirus infection occur? According to RKI, most infections were reported in Swabian Alb, in the Spessart, in the Bavarian Forest, in the Osnabrücker Land and in Münsterland. But even in the federal states of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Thuringia some Hantavirus infections were recorded.

At the moment, there is no conventional therapy tailored to the disease. Currently, human-to-human transmissions are excluded. Preventive measures, as explained, are therefore most appropriate. Especially in rural areas, where the carriers are most common. (Sb)