Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Poland

Abstract

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an acute viral zoonosis occurring due to the hantavirus infection. On the territory it constitutes the only case of viral hemorrhagic fever. The infections occurring in Poland are mainly caused by the Puumala and Dobrava serotypes. The pathogenetic influence of other Hanta serotypes such as Boginia, Nova and Seewis on humans is still unknown. The endemic territory of the occurrence of the hantavirus infections in Poland is the Podkarpacie region. The morbidity is not high and ranges between 0.02 and 0.14 in every 100 000 but professional literature suggests that the data concerning the territory of Poland is underestimated. So far hantavirus infections have not been reported in other areas of Poland yet the presence of the virus may be excluded. In view of literature and the significant occurrence of Hanta antibodies in patients included in the risk group, it may be claimed that the diseases caused by Hanta virus constitute a significant factor influencing the medical status of the group in focus all over the country.

Keywords: hantavirus; hemorrhagic fever; renal syndrome.