2023-06-23 11:34:12
The hantavirus repeatedly causes infections in Germany. But where is it common and how dangerous can the pathogen become for humans?
The most important things at a glance
The risk of contracting the hantavirus is currently particularly high in the Osnabrück district. According to the authorities, this is indicated by several indicators. But other regions in south-west Germany are also repeatedly affected. Because the risk of becoming infected with the virus rises and falls with the population of bank voles (also called wood voles) in a region.
If the number of bank voles increases, the risk of coming into contact with their droppings and thus becoming infected with the hantavirus also increases.
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An indicator of an impending accumulation of hantavirus diseases is if the beech trees produced a lot of fruit in the previous year (beech fattening). As a result, bank voles have a good supply of food over the winter and can already reproduce well in the winter months.
The number of bank voles observed also allows predictions to be made about the frequency of hantavirus infections.
What is the hantavirus?
Hantavirus is an umbrella term that classifies different types of viruses. Hantaviruses are distributed all over the world. The so-called Puumala virus is particularly prevalent in Central Europe. Infections with other subgroups of the virus are also possible in Germany, but less frequently.
How is the virus transmitted?
The hantavirus is transmitted by rodents such as bank voles and field voles. The viruses are shed by infected animals with saliva, urine and feces and can remain infectious for several days. People can become infected through inhalation – for example when dried faeces are stirred up.
Contact of contaminated materials (e.g. dust or soil) with broken skin can also lead to infection. This can happen, for example, when gardening. Transmission through food contaminated with excrement from infected rodents is also possible.
What are the symptoms?
Infections with the hantavirus often have no symptoms, but can also cause flu-like symptoms – such as fever, headaches and body aches. In addition, nausea and vomiting can sometimes occur. The kidneys can also be affected, up to and including acute kidney failure. It usually takes two to four weeks for symptoms to appear.
How is the infectious disease treated?
The hantavirus has been notifiable in Germany since 2001. So far there is no vaccine. Doctors can only treat the symptoms of those who are ill. However, the infection is very rarely fatal in Central Europe.
Where is the virus more prevalent?
Infections with the hantavirus are currently rampant, especially in south-west Germany. Parts of the state of Baden-Württemberg are particularly affected, followed by Bavaria, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia.
How can you protect yourself?
In order to protect themselves, according to experts, people should avoid contact with rodent excretions and dust containing pathogens, especially in areas with a lot of beech forest – for example when working with wood in the forest and garden and when cleaning cellars, sheds, barns and stables.
Anyone who has to remove dead mice or mouse droppings should wear rubber gloves and a tight-fitting mouth and nose protector. You should not use a vacuum cleaner because it could spread viruses in the air. Thorough hygiene is also important: careful hand washing and even better: showering and washing your hair after cleaning work.
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