Seoul hantavirus infection mimicking dengue fever.

Hantavirus infections have been reported in many Asian countries namely China, Korea, Taiwan and some parts· of Southeast Asia. Given the fact that these countries are currently in close contact with Malaysia, it appears to be reasonable to predict that hantaviruses may also prevail in Malaysia. The infection might have occurred but not diagnosed. Furthermore, the presence of the vector for Seoul type virus, Rattus rattus or domestic rats are rampant in this country. The Seoul type virus can mimic dengue fever and thus the diagnosis should be considered especially in seronegative clinical dengue fever.