We screened 526 wild small mammals for zoonotic viruses in northwest Spain and found hantavirus in common voles (Microtus arvalis) (1.5%) and high prevalence (48%) of orthopoxvirus among western Mediterranean mice (Mus spretus). We also detected arenavirus among small mammals. These findings suggest novel risks for viral transmission in the region.
Keywords: Apodemus sylvaticus; Microtus arvalis; Mus spretus; Spain; arenavirus; hantavirus; poxvirus; rodent-borne viruses; serologic screening; vector-borne infections; viruses; zoonoses.