Seoul Virus Found โขin Buenos Aires Rats Raisesโค Publicโค Health Alert
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA -โ Genomic analysis โคhas confirmedโค the โpresence of Seoul virus, a hantavirus known to cause hemorrhagic fever โwith renal syndrome (HFRS), โฃin Rattus norvegicus โ (brown rats) within Buenos Aires city, Argentina. The revelation, detailed in a February โข2018 Emerging Infectious Diseases study (DOI: 10.3201/eid2402.171216), marks the โfirst identification ofโข this specific hantavirusโ lineageโ in South Americaโฃ and signalsโ a potential emerging public health threat.
HFRS, while rare, is a severeโข and possibly fatal illness. The identification of Seoul virus in the city’s rat population is concerning as these rodents frequently inhabit urban environments, bringing them into close proximityโ with humans. Transmission occurs through contact with rat urine,โ saliva, or โคfeces, and can lead to fever, headache, muscle pain, and โคin severe cases, kidney failureโ and shock. This finding necessitates increased surveillance and public health education to mitigate the risk of human infection.
Researchers utilized โคmultiplex PCR-based next-generation sequencing to analyzeโ virus samples โcollectedโ from rats in โBuenos Aires. The genomic characterization revealedโ a close relationship to Seoul virusโฃ strainsโข circulating in Asia and Europe, suggesting a possible introduction via global trade or travel. The study, led by W.K. Kim and colleagues, identified significant genetic diversity within the โคBuenos Aires Seoul virus population, โคindicating establishedโ circulation and potentialโ for further evolution.
The examination involved analyzing samplesโฃ from bothโ humans and rats, revealing the virus’s presence in โa substantial proportion of the โขrat population studied. Further research is crucial to determine the extent of the virus’s geographic โคdistribution within Argentina,assess the risk factors for human exposure,and develop effective prevention โstrategies.โฃ Public โhealth officials โคare now focused on implementing rodent control measures and educating the publicโ about the risks associated with rat infestations and properโ hygiene practices.

