Arenavirus /er′inəvī″rəs/ , a genus of viruses usually transmitted to humans by contact with or inhalation of aerosolized excreta of wild, infected rodents. Individual arenaviruses are identified with specific geographic areas, such as Bolivian hemorrhagic fever in one river valley in Bolivia; Lassa fever in Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone; and Argentine hemorrhagic fever in two agricultural provinces in Argentina. Arenavirus infections are characterized by a slow onset of fever, sweats, malaise, headache, retro-orbital pain, muscle pain, rash, petechiae, hemorrhage, delirium, hypotension, and ulcers of the mouth. In rare cases in health care and family settings, some arenaviruses are associated with secondary person-to-person infection. Treatment is supportive, such as fluid and electrolyte balance, rest, and adequate nutrition. Preventative measures include rodent control. To date, there are no FDA-approved arenavirus vaccines, and current antiarenaviral therapy is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that is only partially effective.
