Introduction.

There is little evidence of hantavirus exposition in Peru. Cases and seroprevalence studies in febrile and asymptomatic persons are from Loreto region; however, there are occupational groups exposure to reservoirs in areas without know virus circulation.

Objectives.

To determinate the frequency of antibodies against hantavirus in rice farmers of a valley in a subtropical area of Peru.

Methods.

Cross-sectional study in a random sample of 250 rice farmers enrolled in 2010 in Alto Mayo Valley (San Martin region) that included blood sample obtention, in whose serum the presence of IgG antibodies was determined by indirect ELISA, and IgM antibodies by capture ELISA.

Results.

We identified a case with IgM antibodies (0,40%, 95% CI: 0,01 to 2,21), we did not find farmers with IgG antibodies. The case had frequent contact with rats and rodents in the home and crop field.

Conclusion.

We show the first serological evidence of hantavirus infection in the San Martin region.

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