Is human hantavirosis underestimated in South Asia?

Abstract

Hantaviruses have been isolated from rodents of the family Muridae, in North Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. A cladistic analysis of ninety-three strains isolated from rodents enabled a review their geographic distribution. Particularly, the association with their hosts questions the presence of hantaviruses in South Asia from where murid rodents are considered to originate. Several hantaviruses have been recorded from South Asia. Also, serological surveys carried out to detect evidence of hantavirus in human populations, or in wild rodents revealed positive samples in Thailand and Cambodia. After confirmation of a first human case in Thailand, a question arises: what is the real importance of hantaviruses for human health in South-East Asia? The results of our study suggests that new viruses, different hosts and different human syndromes may be expected to be discovered in the future especially in southeastern Asia where murid rodents are endemic and highly diversified and where was already proved their potential danger for Human health, with populations regularly exposed to their contact.