Endemic Hantavirus in Field Voles, Northern England

Abstract

We report a PCR survey of hantavirus infection in an extensive field vole (Microtus agrestis) population present in the Kielder Forest, northern England. A Tatenale virus–like lineage was frequently detected (≈17% prevalence) in liver tissue. Lineages genetically similar to Tatenale virus are likely to be endemic in northern England.

Keywords

• Microtus
• Microtus agrestis
• field vole
• hantavirus
• Tatenale virus
• United Kingdom