Seoul Virus Infection Acquired at Private Pet Rat Breeding Facility, Germany, 2024

Emerg Infect Dis. 2025 Oct;31(10):1988-1991. doi: 10.3201/eid3110.250362.

Abstract

We report a case of severe acute kidney injury in a patient in Germany infected with Seoul virus. Clinical and laboratory analysis linked the infection to a pet rat breeding facility in central Germany. Increased surveillance and a One Health approach are needed, given the rising popularity of pet rats.

Keywords: Germany; Seoul virus infection; acute kidney injury; hantaviruses; orthohantavirus; rats; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome* / transmission
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome* / virology
  • Humans
  • Pets / virology
  • Rats
  • Rodent Diseases / transmission
  • Rodent Diseases / virology
  • Seoul virus* / classification
  • Seoul virus* / genetics
  • Seoul virus* / isolation & purification