Background and Goals

Rodents can transmit a variety of diseases to humans. Hantaviruses, which can cause severe kidney diseases, are particularly important. Direct contact with an infected rodent is not essential for infection, as the viruses excreted in the droppings and urine of feral rodents are mainly transmitted through contaminated dust. The number of hantavirus illnesses reported has been rising significantly in Germany and neighbouring countries (France, Belgium) for some years and there have been numerous minor epidemics. The abundance and distribution of feral rodents is often subject to significant fluctuations, thought to be caused by a combination of various climatic factors that lead to above average availability of food for the rodents (known as "mast years").

The project will study the influence of climatic factors on the abundance and distribution of hanta-carrying rodents (bank voles, yellow necked mice, striped field mice) and their rate of infestation with hantavirus, analyse critical factors and product forecasts for the future situation for the hantavirus problem, particularly in respect of climate change.

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