RSOE EDIS: Germany - Epidemic Hazard - 2010.02.26

RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service Budapest, Hungary RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL

2010-02-26 21:06:54 - Epidemic Hazard - Germany EDIS CODE: EH-20100226-25089-DEU Date & Time: 2010-02-26 21:06:54 [UTC] Area: Germany, State of Baden-Wurttemberg, BW-wide, !!! ALERT !!! Number of Infected person(s): 85 Not confirmed information! Description: A dangerous hantavirus is spreading in Baden-Wurttemberg. Since the beginning of the year [2010], 85 cases have been reported in the administrative district of Stuttgart, the regional council announced on Wednesday [24 Feb 2010]. The number is unusually high for the season and exceeded the previous record year of 2007 with 41 cases in the same period, it said. This leaves an expectation of high infection levels in the coming months. The [number of] cases have been piling up since December [2009]. According to [health] information, hantavirus disease [in this part of Europe] manifests itself usually in the form of a common cold with sudden onset and high fever. In addition, [infected individuals] have head and body aches and abdominal pain. The illness lasts about 3 weeks and more than half of those affected are hospitalized. Some patients develop kidney failure. A vaccine does not exist. Hantaviruses are [maintained in] wild rodents that spread the virus primarily through faeces and urine. Humans usually become infected by inhaling dust [with excreta having the] pathogen. [The red-backed vole, Myodes] glareolus, whose principal food is beechnuts, is the main reservoir. Regions with a high prevalence are Swabian Alb and Schoenbuch, which are the most affected. The current incidence is probably due to a particularly high population of red-backed voles. The name of Hazard: Hantavirus Species: Human Status: Confirmed Posted:2010-02-26 21:06:54 [UTC] Please DO NOT reply to this message: replies may be treated as errors and result in your subscription being deleted. If you have trouble or other queries, send email to havaria@rsoe.hu RSOE EDIS is operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Budapest, Hungary. Because of the complexity of this system and its dependence on other systems, we cannot be responsible for delays or failures in forwarding or transmission. You're receiving this AlertMail because you subscribed for the service. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Contact: havaria@rsoe.hu