Hantavirus in Russia RU

Endemic 1 active outbreak 2 strains

Russia is endemic for multiple hantaviruses: Puumala virus dominates in European Russia and is the country's largest source of HFRS cases (concentrated around the Volga and Ural regions), while Hantaan and other strains circulate in the Far East. Annual reported HFRS cases routinely exceed 5,000.

Circulating strains

Hantavirus strains documented in Russia. HPS = Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (Americas, predominantly fatal lung involvement). HFRS = Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (Eurasia, kidney involvement).

HTNV Hantaan virus HFRS

Rodent reservoir

Striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius)

Case-fatality rate

5-15%

Person-to-person spread

Not documented

The classic 'Korean hemorrhagic fever' agent. Inactivated vaccines are licensed and used in South Korea and parts of China.
PUUV Puumala virus HFRS

Rodent reservoir

Bank vole (Myodes glareolus)

Case-fatality rate

<1%

Person-to-person spread

Not documented

Causes 'nephropathia epidemica', the mildest form of HFRS. Highest case volume of any European hantavirus; Finland reports more than a thousand cases in typical years.

Currently part of

Plague Suspected pneumonic plague, Irkutsk, Russian Federation

Reported October 2, 2026 · Source: Press

Situation brief Up to two suspected deaths in Irkutsk, Russia, after a reported accident at the regional anti-plague institute; the second is an unconfirmed media report. Russia says no plague case has been recorded, and WHO rates the risk low.

0 Confirmed

2 Probable / Suspected

2 Deaths

Origin (suspected) Russia

Affected RU