Genetic detection of hantaviruses in rodents, Albania

J Med Virol. 2016 Aug;88(8):1309-13. doi: 10.1002/jmv.24486. Epub 2016 Feb 8.

Abstract

In order to have a first insight into the epidemiology of hantaviruses in Albania, 263 small mammals (248 rodents, 15 insectivores) were captured in 352 locations in 29 districts and tested for hantavirus infection. Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) was detected in 10 of 148 (6.7%) Apodemus flavicollis rodents. DOBV-positive A. flavicollis were detected in six districts (Diber, Korce, Kolonje, Librazhd, Pogradec, and Vlore). The obtained nucleotide sequences were highly similar to each other and to DOBV sequences from northwestern Greece. Understanding the epidemiology of hantaviruses and identifying the endemic foci enables the public health strategies to minimize the risk of human infection. J. Med. Virol. 88:1309-1313, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: Albania; hantavirus; rodents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albania / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Disease Reservoirs / virology
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Hantavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Hantavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Hantavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Hantavirus Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Orthohantavirus / genetics*
  • Orthohantavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Rodent Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Rodent Diseases / virology
  • Rodentia / virology*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral