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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2003

Human hantavirus infections, Sweden

Olsson GE, Dalerum F, Hornfeldt B, Elgh F, Palo TR, Juto P, Ahlm C

Abstract

The prevalent human hantavirus disease in Sweden is nephropathia epidemica, which is caused by Puumala virus and shed by infected bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). To evaluate temporal and spatial patterns of this disease, we studied 2,468 reported cases from a highly disease-endemic region in northern Sweden. We found that, in particular, middle-aged men living in rural dwellings near coastal areas were overrepresented. The case-patients were most often infected in late autumn, when engaged in activities near or within manmade rodent refuges. Of 862 case-patients confident about the site of virus exposure, 50% were concentrated within 5% of the study area. The incidence of nephropathia epidemica was significantly correlated with bank vole numbers within monitored rodent populations in part of the region. Understanding this relationship may help forestall future human hantavirus outbreaks

Published in

Emerging Infectious Disease
2003, Volume: 9, number: 11, pages: 1395-1401
Publisher: CENTER DISEASE CONTROL

      SLU Authors

    • Palo, Thomas

      • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
      • Olsson, Gert

        • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0911.030275

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/675