We live in a highly dynamic society, in which the flow of information is increasing.. In this sense, for many people, hantavirus may seem like a thing of the past today.
It should be remembered that hantavirus is a serious viral infection transmitted by rodents; Its lethality is close to 30%. A few weeks ago, an outbreak of this condition occurred on a luxury cruise ship, which set sail from Argentine waters. Unfortunately, 3 people died on the boat. The health situation required the intervention of various countries to repatriate their nationals and
However, a specialist in the comprehensive study of animals points out that there is a latent threat of an epidemic starting. This is Ulicies Pardiña, a zoologist who, through an article published in the French newspaper , delves into the phenomenon that has been occurring with rodents in Patagonia.
The relevance of an exotic plant
It all stems from the introduction of an exotic plant into the ecosystem of the South American southern cone, the European wild rose. This type of flora currently covers nearly 700 kilometers north.
Over time, these thickets have become a fort for rodents, especially for a small rat called Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, who is considered the main regional reservoir of hantavirus.
Therefore, the population of small mammals has increased significantly, even in areas. To such an extent that it has become a dominant species in areas where it was previously only a small minority.
If we also take into account “the growing human occupation of forest areas, the decrease in natural fires and increasingly milder winters, tAll conditions seem conducive to increased epidemiological risk”, says Pardiñas.
“Perhaps, in these silent transformations that affect forests, rodents and, processes are already taking place whose future consequences we barely understand”he concludes.
