Shane T.

Holtman
Salt Lake Community College
ABSTRACT
In a Two-year study of rodent pathogens, transmissions may have many variables. Some
can include size of rodent populations as proportional to its threat level. Raising or lowering
certain external conditions can increase each level of threat from the organism. Certain species of
rodent can carry a different type of pathogen as well. Of the 35 know Hantaviruses 15 can be
transmitted to humans.
INTRODUCTION
Hantavirus (Family of Bunyavirdae) orininally got its name from the Hantan River,
in South Korea, where an early outbreak occured in 1951-53. This outbreak during the Korean
War, infected more than 3000 Soldiers, and it had about a 10% mortality percentage. The cause
at that time was unknown, be research found that it was carried by rodents and herbavories. The
infection can be inhaled by dust contaminated with fecal or urine matter on the particles. The
infection can be prolonged from neutralizing human antibody responses to kill off the infection;
this condition can be life long or a period of weeks for recovery. Throughout the years it has
increased in popularity due to its 150,000 cases that are reported annually. Symptoms include
hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), or a severe sometimes-fatal respiratory disease,
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) can infect and/or kill healthy individuals
In Europe, different countries report a spike in infection rates, as well as in different parts
of the year. Spring is the peak for Belgium, while around autumn has increased reports in
northern Europe. One theory for expansion of the virus in the spring there is mating season, mice
have a higher calories intake to feed their young, and they travel farther for food and become
more territorial. While out for food the father my get into an altercation with another rodent and
can be a carrier for the disease. The mothers antibodies protect the children from infection, for
up to three months, if the father gets bitten or scratched. Another theory is the virus can survive
inside excrement for weeks in the cold, before infecting a new host.
To understand the disease better, sites around Brussels were used; they gathered samples
and gathered information. The history of revious infections around that area came from the
Scientific Institute of Public Health. Models were then created to help understand was hypothesis
they might expect. The data that was evaluated at these sites were puberty level, blood data,
weight, time of season, and sex orientation. As with any hypothesis or theory they are unforeseen
factors, these were the distance traveled for food, winter mice where a little heavier then summer
mice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
For 2 years 3 sites were sampled in the fall and spring for two weeks. The 3 sites that
were sampled the forest, which presented with many footpaths for walking and riding bikes. The
second site was a four-lane highway with dense traffic, and the third site was not visited by
people and had some paths but not many. 6 grid live traps were used and baited with apples and
peanut butter. To avoid theft and destruction from the population the traps were checked
everyday for 4 days and then left open for 3 days and then checked on the fourth day. Rodents
then were tagged, and ear marked and sent back into the population. Data gathered also shows
interaction between humans and rodent populations, these could inturn be useful information
about human risk factors.
RESULTS
All three sites had detectable hantavirus, of these site 2 the one surrounded by no
vegetation is the site that produced the best results for he study. The infection always increased
in springtime compared to the mice and voles captured in the fall. Theories about why concluded
that its probable that the virus lives longer in cold enviroments while this can highten infection
rates amoungst rodent families. The other theory is that if rodent intermix they have a higher
chance of getting infected by a another rodent carrier. Interesting information was that heavyier
rodent seem to have a higher infection rate, this can be from many factors, radius of habitat, age
increases probable infection possiblities like fighting, or reproductive state.
DISCUSSION
Hantavirus seroprevalence was common at all 3 of the sites and tested positive at all three
sites tested but at different times. Significant findings were that the spring is definitely the more
prominent time for the virus. Other factors that were found, the weight of the vole is extremely
important as to being a carrier of the disease. Which explains the reason for the spring being
more likely to have the virus present the voles were heavier in the spring. Population density was
also an important factor. This study suggests that PUUV can spill over in wood mice. At least at
high bank vole seroprevalance. Such spillovers are important for hantavirus evolution in new
hosts