Vienna, May 6, 2026
The number of Hantavirus infections in Austria has been subject to significant fluctuations in recent years, peaking at 276 cases in 2019 and dropping sharply to 19 cases in 2024.
Background
Hantaviruses are RNA viruses that can be transmitted to humans through the excretions of rodents such as mice or rats. In Central Europe, the most common types are the Puumala virus (PUUV) and the Dobrava-Belgrade virus type Kurkino (DOBV type Kurkino). Globally, there are various types of Hantaviruses that can cause different disease progressions.
In South America, more contagious strains like the Andes virus dominate, which can also be transmitted through close and prolonged human contact. These regional differences highlight the diversity of Hantaviruses and their varying impacts on public health.
Case Numbers and Trends
In 2019, Austria recorded its highest number of Hantavirus infections since 2014, with 276 cases. However, the numbers fluctuated widely: only 32 cases were reported in 2020, while 2021 saw the second-highest figure in the past eleven years, with 233 cases.