hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a severe illness caused by hantaviruses, which are RNA viruses primarily spread by rodents. HFRS occurs mainly in Europe and Asia and is characterized by fever, headache, blurred vision, and nausea. Severe cases can lead to internal bleeding and kidney failure.12

One form of HFRS, Korean hemorrhagic fever, is caused by the Hantaan virus and has a fatality rate of 5 to 15 percent. Another form, nephropathia epidemica, caused by the Puumala virus, is usually not fatal. HFRS affects an estimated 100,000 people worldwide annually, with the majority of cases in Europe and Asia. Prevention involves controlling rodent infestations and limiting exposure to rodent habitats.1