Epizootiology of Hantaan and Related Viruses in Baltimore.
Abstract
The mammal fauna within Baltimore City has been surveyed over a one year period for evidence of infection by Hantaviruses within resident species. Live trapping of the Norway rat using a mark-recapture protocol has been successfully employed at several different habitats within the city, and a combination of mark-recapture and removal methods gave been used to sample six other small mammal species at a number of sites. Representative serosurveys have also been made of the resident cat, dog and human population. The Norway rat consistently demonstrates its importance as a reservoir of HTNV through its widespread geographic dispersion of infected populations, high titer and prevalence rates within adults for any given populations, and a constancy of seropositivity throughout different seasons. The field vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus, appears to maintain a different viral agent, possibly related to Prospect Hill virus, in parkland and urban settings. Other species of small mammals co-occurring with either of these two species at selected study sites, also yield evidence of infection with Hantaan viruses.We also demonstrate reciprocal titers against Hantaan virus in human serum collected within Baltimore City up to 2048. Differences in prevalence rates in Norway rat populations at different sites are discussed in relationship to the ecological and/or demographic characteristics of infected populations. Keywords: serology; Hantavirus, Hantaan virus.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 29, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA178311
Entities
People
- Keerti Shah
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University