RKI Hantavirus is spreading in many ways

According to information from the hospital technician, the hantavirus is currently spreading. The carrier of the highly infectious disease is the red chick. In Thuringia alone, 26 infections have already been reported. The infection is very dangerous and can even end in kidney damage in humans. There is currently no preventive vaccine.

Only a few centimeters tall becomes a red chick - and yet she can be the carrier of a highly dangerous disease: 26 infections with the hantavirus have been reported in Thuringia alone until the 35th calendar week of this year. This informs the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) after evaluation of the data of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Most recently, in 2010 and 2012, there were strong increases in the statistics - last year, however, only a single case was reported.

The number of hantavirus diseases in Germany has increased sharply. The viruses are transmitted via the excretions of infected rodents. Experts explain how to protect yourself. (Image: alexlmx / fotolia.com)

Symptoms often unspecific

Hantavirus infections are usually associated with unspecific influenza symptoms. In a few cases, however, the infection may progress to kidney damage or even kidney failure.

"Often the reported, mostly severe infections are just the tip of the iceberg. Due to the non-specific symptoms, we assume a high number of unreported infections, "explains Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Mathias W. Pletz, Director of the Center for Infection Medicine and Hospital Hygiene at the University Hospital Jena.

The reason for the transmission is the contact with saliva or excrements of infected rodents. Especially in the border areas to Hesse and Bavaria, the virus is detected in red-eared mice. Above all, the dried remains of the animals, which are distributed in small parts over the air, are problematic.

High Mäu-se-po-pu-la-ti-on due to the mild winter

Black and white-throated mice feed on beechnuts, the fruits of red beech. In the year 2016 their yield was particularly high, so that the rodents were able to hibernate well and accordingly proliferate.

Therefore, be careful when cleaning places in the house and garden where mice are suspected. Endangered rodents should only be touched with disposable gloves and disposed of in tightly closed containers. "In contact with the pathogens, for example, patients also come swept out of the garden shed when dust is whirled up," explains Pletz. "Therefore, wetting surfaces before sweeping is recommended."

Vaccination currently not possible

An approved vaccine against hantavirus is currently not available, according to RKI. Only the symptoms can be treated. The most important measures are therefore those that already prevent contact with infected material. However, after a single infection with the virus, immunity is assumed.

Hantavirus infections are notifiable according to § 7 Abs. 1 Nr. 19 IfSG. The current figures for hantavirus infections can be obtained from the RKI country-specific. There is also a detailed guide for doctors available. Frequently asked questions about hantaviruses have also been compiled by the RKI in a leaflet.

For technical background information, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Mathias W. Pletz interviewed. Since 2013, the internist, pulmonologist, infectiologist and hospital hygienist has been the director of the Center for Infection Medicine and Hospital Hygiene at the University Hospital Jena. Pletz is a board member of the German Society for Infectious Diseases and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Robert Koch Institute.