[Detection of anti-hantavirus antibodies in forest workers in the north-east of Poland].

Objective: To estimate exposition to hantaviruses in a high-risk population (forest workers) in the north-east of Poland.

Methods: IgG antibodies against virus Puumala (PUUV) and Hantaan (HTNV) were detected by ELISA in sera of 59 forest workers from Podlaskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie provinces (group I), as well as in 10 employees of Regional Forest Administration in Białystok (group II).

Main Observations: Anti-PUUV IgG antibodies were detected in 3 persons in group I and 1 in group II. Anti-HTNV IgG were present in 1 person in group I and 2 in group II, in one case accompanying strong reactivity towards PUUV.

Results: Anti-PUUV IgG, suggestive of the history of non-diagnosed PUUV infection, were detected in 4 persons of 69 (5,7%). Isolated anti-HTNV IgG, which could indicate past infection with Saaremaa virus, antigenically related to HTNV, were present in 2 subjects (2,9%).

Conclusions: Non-diagnosed infections with Puumala and Saaremaa viruses seem to occur in the high risk groups in the north-east of Poland, with frequency comparable to other European countries. Most infections are probably mild or asymptomatic.