Laboratory-confirmed cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome which occurred in Breclav 1989-1990]

The authors describe the first three cases with a serologically confirmed hantaviral aetiology in the Czech Republic. It is the causal agent of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, western type (strain CG 18-20, identical with the Puumala prototype). All patients come from a locality where since 1984 very actively a natural focus of hantaviral infection was investigated in small mammals, and where formerly groups of farmers were found with a high herd immunity with hantavirus. The disease was present in a mild to medium severe form with some sequelae. In the discussion the authors draw attention to the necessity of wider use of aetiological diagnosis in suspect diseases.