Migration of Norway rats resulted in the worldwide distribution of Seoul hantavirus today.

Despite the worldwide distribution, most of the known Seoul viruses (SEOV) are closely related to each other. In this study, the M and the S segment sequences of SEOV were recovered from 130 lung tissue samples (mostly of Norway rats) and from six patient serum samples by reverse transcription-PCR. Genetic analysis revealed that all sequences belong to SEOV and represent 136 novel strains.

[Isolation and characterization of Hantavirus carried by rodents in Huludao, Liaoning province].

Objective: To investigate the Hantavirus infection and their genotype in rodents in Huludao.

Methods: Rodents were collected from the main epidemic areas to detect antigen of Hantavirus in rat lungs by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Antigen-positive samples were inoculated onto cultures of confluent Vero E6 cells for the isolation of virus.

[The epidemic characteristics and preventive measures of hemorrhagic fever with syndromes in China].

Objective: To summarize and analyze the epidemic situation of hantaviruses including geographic distribution, types and prevalent intensity of epidemic areas of hantavirus for the last 30 years in China, and to discuss relative preventive measures.

Methods: Collecting and analyzing the data of hantaviruses epidemics in China.

Results: The annual number of cases of hantavirus disease rapidly increased from 3295 in 1970 to 115,804 in 1986 then sustained between 40,000 and 60,000 cases annually in the 1990's, and then decreased thereafter.