Genetic Characterization of Seoul Virus in the Seaport of Cotonou, Benin

Abstract

Seoul virus is a zoonotic pathogen carried by the brown rat Rattus norvegicus. Information on its circulation in Africa is limited. In this study, the virus was detected in 37.5% of brown rats captured in the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, Benin. Phylogenetic analyses place this virus in Seoul virus lineage 7.

Keywords

• Seoul orthohantavirus
• respiratory infections
• SEOV
• Rattus norvegicus
• rats
• rodents