Hantavirus infection - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2018

Surveillance report

30 Apr 2020

Publication series: Annual Epidemiological Report on Communicable Diseases in Europe

Time period covered: This report is based on data for 2018 retrieved from The European Surveillance System (TESSy) on 10 September 2019.

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ECDC’s annual surveillance reports provide a wealth of epidemiological data to support decision-making at the national level. They are mainly intended for public health professionals and policymakers involved in disease prevention and control programmes.

Executive summary

For 2018, 29 countries reported 1 826 cases of hantavirus infection (0.4 cases per 100 000 population), mainly caused by Puumala virus (97%).
Over the 2014–2018 period, the overall notification rate fluctuated between 0.4 and 0.8 cases per 100 00 population with no obvious long-term trend.
In 2018, three countries (Finland, Sweden and Germany) accounted for 81% of all reported cases, with Finland alone accounting for 55% of all cases.
In the absence of a licensed vaccine, prevention mainly relies on rodent control, avoidance of contact with rodent excreta (urine, saliva or droppings), and properly cleaning and disinfecting areas contaminated by rodent excreta.