Synanthropic rodents as virus reservoirs and transmitters

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Gravinatti, Mara Lucia, Barbosa, Carla Meneguin, Soares, Rodrigo Martins, Gregori, Fábio
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2020
• Subjects: Review Article; Rattus rattus
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7083353/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32049206; https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0486-2019

This review focuses on reports of hepatitis E virus, hantavirus, rotavirus, coronavirus, and arenavirus in synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus) within urban environments. Despite their potential impact on human health, relatively few studies have addressed the monitoring of these viruses in rodents. Comprehensive control and preventive activities should include actions such as the elimination or reduction of rat and mouse populations, sanitary education, reduction of shelters for the animals, and restriction of the access of rodents to residences, water, and food supplies.