Detection of Puumala and Rift Valley Fever virus by quantitative RT-PCR and virus viability tests in samples of blood dried and stored on filter paper

► Blood dried and stored on filter paper facilitated sampling for diagnosis of viral RNA. ► The technique could be used for studies in remote areas or in developing countries. ► Puumala hantavirus RNA was easily detected by PCR after up to 6 weeks of storage. ► Rift Valley fever RNA was only detected at very low levels from filter papers. ► Viable Rift Valley fever virus was detected on filter papers after 48 h storage.