Spring cleaning Infection risks due to Hanta viruses in the dust

Doctors warn about Hanta virus infections during spring cleaning

Again and again, reports of an increased incidence of Hanta virus infections in recent years have caused a stir. In a recent communication, scientists at the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main warn of the risk of infection, including the swirling up of dust during spring cleaning.

"Anyone who inhales dust during spring cleaning will expose themselves to an increased risk of infection from Hanta viruses in some areas of Germany," according to the university. Because in the dust can also be excretions of the red chickens, If the dust loaded with viruses, for example, during cleaning work in agriculture and forestry whirled up and inhaled, it could come to the infection. On the basis of long-term data series, the scientists of the Goethe University and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center have evaluated the development of Hanta virus infections in Germany. Their results were published in the journal "PeerJ".

In the raised dust during spring cleaning can be contained with Hanta viruses, which subsequently cause an infection. (Image: alexlmx / fotolia.com)

Red chickens of the main transducers

The Hanta viruses (Puumala virus, PUUV) are transmitted in Germany mainly by the red chickadee (Myodes glareolus), explain the scientists. The mouse itself did not get sick, but could pass on the pathogens to humans in various ways. For example, an infection through the bite of a red chick is possible. Residues of faeces and urine as well as pathogen-containing aerosols, which are whirled up and inhaled with dust, form a possible route of infection, according to the researchers. The infections are dangerous because of the haemorrhagic fever and the increased tendency to bleed, which can lead to acute kidney failure.

Spatial, temporal and seasonal patterns of infections

Since 2001, there is a reporting obligation for Hanta virus infections in Germany. Based on the data obtained, the research team headed by Prof. Sven Klimpel from the Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity of the Goethe University has now attempted to identify spatial, temporal and seasonal patterns for the occurrence of the infection. According to the scientists in Baden-Württemberg and neighboring areas in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, particularly many Puumala virus infections can be detected, whereas in North-East Germany only a few PUUV virus cases occur. In addition, the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants tends to be higher in large cities and metropolitan areas than in rural areas. According to the researchers, these spatial patterns have hardly changed in the last 15 years.

Population density of the mice crucial

While the spatial distribution patterns are relatively constant, according to the statement of the scientists, however, there were pronounced temporal variations. For example, the reported PUUV infections were particularly high in 2007, 2010 and 2012. An important factor is the red-earmuff density, which in turn depends on land use (especially the share of forest), climatic factors (temperature in winter) and the food supply. Here are years in which beech, oak and chestnut produce particularly many fruits (fattening years), of crucial importance. Because a rich food supply for the disease carriers usually leads to a strong increase in population density and thus more infected red chick, which ultimately increases the risk of infection for humans.

Increased infections in early summer

In their investigations, the researchers found that the infection-rich years 2007, 2010 and 2012 actually preceded each corresponding mast years. However, only a slight increase in human Puumala virus infections was observed in the mast year 2014, the scientists report. "Due to the complex relationships and the multitude of factors that influence the number of Puumala virus infections, it is currently difficult to produce a reliable prediction model," according to the Frankfurt University Communication. On the basis of the correlation analyzes, however, clearly a higher risk for wooded areas, for the early summer and for years following a fattening year, recognizable. "Climate change, which causes more frequent fattening years and milder winters, could increase the number of Puumala virus infections in the future," warns Prof. Klimpel. (Fp)