Seoul virus (SEOV)
Seoul virus is the only hantavirus with a worldwide distribution because its rodent host follows global shipping routes. Recent clusters in pet rat keepers have prompted CDC and UKHSA advisories.
- Primary rodent host
- Norway rat and black rat (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus)
- Geographic range
- Worldwide, wherever Norway and black rats are established
- Case-fatality rate
- 1 to 2 percent
- Incubation
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Discovered
- 1980, Seoul, South Korea
Transmission
Aerosolised excreta from urban and pet rats. Outbreaks in pet rat owners have been reported in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Key facts
- ▪ Causes moderate HFRS with prominent liver involvement
- ▪ Pet rat exposure is a recognised risk in the United States and the United Kingdom
- ▪ Found in any city with significant rat populations, including ports and waste sites
- ▪ Surveillance often relies on serology of high-risk groups (pest control, ratteries)
Reporting agencies
CDCUKHSAWHO
Sources: WHO, ECDC, U.S. CDC, PAHO and peer-reviewed virology and epidemiology literature.
Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for clinical advice.
Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for clinical advice.