Distribution of hantavirus foci in Belgium

Acta Trop. 2002 Dec;84(3):183-8. doi: 10.1016/s0001-706x(02)00235-8.

Abstract

During 1999 and 2000, we performed rodent captures on 15 sites all over Belgium to evaluate the presence of hantaviruses in local rodent populations. Viral antibody and RNA detection was performed by ELISA/focus reduction neutralisation test and RT-PCR, respectively. We found hantavirus-positive rodents on 13 out of 15 trapping sites and 3 rodent species were found positive for hantavirus infection. Apart from Puumala virus that was carried by Clethrionomys glareolus, 2 additional rodent species, Microtus arvalis and Apodemus sylvaticus, were found antibody- and/or RNA-positive.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Female
  • Hantavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Hantavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Muridae
  • Orthohantavirus / growth & development
  • Orthohantavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Prevalence
  • Rats
  • Rodent Diseases / epidemiology
  • Rodent Diseases / parasitology*