Puumala virus

Puumala virus is a species of hantavirus, and causes nephropathia epidemica. It is common in northern Europe and Russia.

The bank vole acts as a reservoir for the virus, and nephropathia epidemica therefore peaks at the same time the population of these voles, typically every 3 to 4 years. Farmers are often exposed to the droppings of these animals and are therefore more commonly infected.

The virus was found and named in 1980 by two Finnish researchers Markus Brummer-Korvenkontio and Antti Vaheri.

Puumala is a municipality in Finland.

Puumala-virus