Seoul virus is the only hantavirus with truly global distribution, owing to its rat reservoirs. Unlike other hantaviruses tied to specific ecological zones, SEOV circulates in urban rat populations on every continent — though most human infections go undiagnosed because symptoms are typically mild.
| Reservoir host | Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and black rat (Rattus rattus) |
| Geographic range | Global — wherever its rat reservoirs live, including major cities worldwide |
| Disease syndrome | Mild hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome |
| Case fatality rate | ~1-2% |
| Vaccine | None licensed in most countries |
| Specific treatment | None. Supportive care. |
Seoul virus is the only hantavirus with truly global distribution, owing to its rat reservoirs. Unlike other hantaviruses tied to specific ecological zones, SEOV circulates in urban rat populations on every continent — though most human infections go undiagnosed because symptoms are typically mild.
Notably, Seoul virus has been transmitted to humans through pet rats, with documented outbreaks in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Netherlands tied to the rat-fancier community.