Emerging viruses in western and southern Africa:Molecular identification and characterization of rodent-, shrew-, and bat-borne hantaviruses and assessment of their impact on public health

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Hantaviruses, members of the family Bunyaviridae, are emerging viruses causing two lifethreatening human zoonoses; hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. The viruses are transmitted from animal reservoirs to humans. Based on our very recent evidence of hantaviruses in rodent, shrew, and bat reservoirs in Africa (Sangassou, Tanganya, and Magboi virus, respectively) and of the occurrence of hantavirus disease in Africa, the joint project of German and African groups will evaluate the biodiversity of hantaviruses and their natural animal reservoirs in western and southern Africa. Biological and genetic properties of the newly discovered African hantaviruses will be analyzed in order to assess their relevance for human health and to infer molecular evolution of hantaviruses in their natural hosts. Moreover, specific diagnostic approaches will be developed for newly found African hantaviruses. Since hantaviruses were detected to date only in the Western part of the African continent, our studies will be extended to more countries of this region. Moreover, bats – in addition to rodents and shrews – will be investigated as potential hantavirus hosts. This continued effort will result in capacity building for the detection and characterization of hantaviruses and other emerging zoonotic viruses in African laboratories and to the development of virus-diagnostic and public health expertise for the control of zoonotic infections originating from small mammals.