| Autor: |
Ferro I; Andean Ecoregions Institute (Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas-INECOA), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National University of Jujuy (UNJu), San Salvador de Jujuy 4600, Argentina., Lopez W; Institute for Tropical Disease Research (Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales-IIET), National University of Salta (UNSa), Orán A4530, Argentina., Cassinelli F; Andean Ecoregions Institute (Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas-INECOA), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National University of Jujuy (UNJu), San Salvador de Jujuy 4600, Argentina., Aguirre S; Institute for Non-Conventional Energy Research (Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía No Convencional-INENCO), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National University of Salta (UNSa), Salta A4400, Argentina., Cuyckens GAE; Andean Ecoregions Institute (Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas-INECOA), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National University of Jujuy (UNJu), San Salvador de Jujuy 4600, Argentina., Kehl S; National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-INEI), National Administration of Laboratories and Health Institutes (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud-ANLIS 'Dr. C. G. Malbrán'), Buenos Aires C1282 AFF, Argentina., Abán-Moreyra D; Institute for Non-Conventional Energy Research (Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía No Convencional-INENCO), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National University of Salta (UNSa), Salta A4400, Argentina., Castillo P; Institute for Non-Conventional Energy Research (Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía No Convencional-INENCO), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National University of Salta (UNSa), Salta A4400, Argentina., Bellomo C; National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-INEI), National Administration of Laboratories and Health Institutes (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud-ANLIS 'Dr. C. G. Malbrán'), Buenos Aires C1282 AFF, Argentina., Gil J; Institute for Tropical Disease Research (Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales-IIET), National University of Salta (UNSa), Orán A4530, Argentina.; Institute for Non-Conventional Energy Research (Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía No Convencional-INENCO), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), National University of Salta (UNSa), Salta A4400, Argentina., Martinez VP; National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas-INEI), National Administration of Laboratories and Health Institutes (Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud-ANLIS 'Dr. C. G. Malbrán'), Buenos Aires C1282 AFF, Argentina. |
| Abstrakt: |
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an American emerging disease caused by the rodent-borne virus genus Orthohantavirus (Family: Hantaviridae : Order: Elliovirales Class: Bunyaviricetes ). In Argentina, almost half of the HPS infections occur in the northwestern endemic region. In this study, we monitored rodent abundance during 2022 and 2023 in three sites with different sampling methods (removal trapping, live trapping and hunted rodents by domestic cats) to evaluate their relationship with human infections. We found a similar pattern of variation in rodent abundance across time, and particularly a synchronous rise of rodent abundance that anticipated an HPS outbreak in 2023. Our dynamic regression models revealed a positive relationship between HPS cases and rodent abundance with a three-month lag, as well as rainfall with an eight-month lag. Our results provide a framework for the planning and implementation of public health prevention campaigns based on climatology and rodent monitoring. Domestic cats bringing rodents into houses can be an overlooked risk factor, particularly if viral shedding of infected rodents is magnified by stress. HPS is a disease of public health concern due to its high mortality rate, the lack of a specific therapeutic treatment and no vaccine. Thus, prevention of infections is of the utmost importance. |
