[The hantaviruses causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and pulmonary syndrome].

The goal of this review is to provide basic information on hantaviruses as causative agents of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), two zoonotic diseases widely distributed in Asia/Europe, and the American continent, respectively. Hantaviruses are rodent-borne and transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected rodents or their secretions (urine, feces and saliva). Both, HFRS and HPS share some clinical aspects, however, hemorrhage and renal failure are the hallmark of HFRS, while respiratory problems are distinctive signs and symptoms of patients with HPS. Studies on hantavirus infection in rodents from Mexico are included, some recomendations to prevent or avoid contact with rodents are mentioned, and some determinant ecologic factors of hantaviruses distribution and their natural rodents, are also included.