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BLACKSBURG, VA – Researchers at Virginia Tech have pinpointed three significant hotspots for hantavirus activity within wildlife populations in the United States: Virginia, Colorado, and Texas. Their study, recently published in the journal Ecosphere, also identified six previously unrecognized rodent species capable of carrying the virus, bringing the known total to 15 North American species.
The findings underscore the adaptability of hantavirus and highlight the critical role that climate and ecological factors play in its potential spread. Hantavirus, a pathogen transmitted to humans primarily through the inhalation of aerosolized particles from infected rodent excreta, urine, or saliva, can cause severe respiratory illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas, which can be fatal.
While often associated with the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), the study revealed that other rodent species sometimes exhibit a higher prevalence of the virus, shifting the understanding of its circulation in wildlife. “This new information is expected to help us understand where and when hantavirus is most likely to occur, which is crucial for predicting outbreaks and informing public health officials,” stated Paanwaris Paansri, a Ph.D. student and co-author of the study.
The discovery of six new host species is particularly significant, as some inhabit areas where traditionally known carriers are rare or absent. “This expands our understanding of the basic biology of the virus and shows that the virus is more adaptable than previously believed,” Paansri added. “This has direct implications for surveillance strategies and risk assessments.”
The research team utilized extensive data collected between 2014 and 2019 by the National Science Foundation’s National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) program, analyzing over 14,000 blood samples from 49 species across 45 US field sites.
Researchers also linked environmental conditions to potential risk. Warmer winters and increased rainfall can boost rodent populations, while drier conditions may increase the chances of contaminated dust becoming airborne, facilitating transmission to humans. “Climate change can cause population increases or distributional shifts of rodents, altering the epidemiology of hantavirus,” explained Paansri, noting that fluctuations could lead to more frequent human-rodent interactions. The study suggests some potential for predicting rodent population dynamics and hantavirus prevalence months in advance based on environmental factors.
Hantaviruses are considered an emerging disease with pandemic potential, capable of causing symptoms resembling severe COVID-19 infections. While the virus gained some public attention following reports linking it to the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, it remains relatively unknown to the general public. Globally, different hantaviruses cause various syndromes, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Asia and Europe.
Tracking the actual number of human cases remains challenging, as many infections may be asymptomatic or mistaken for common illnesses like the flu. The Virginia Tech team plans further research into how climatic variations influence hantavirus transmission in both wildlife and humans.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided regarding a scientific study published in the journal Ecosphere. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with healthcare professionals for any health concerns or questions about hantavirus.
