What does the Junin virus do?
Junín virus (JUNV) causes Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), a disease endemic to the pampas region of Argentina, with approximately five million people at risk [1,2]. AHF was first described in 1953, and the virus was isolated several years later.
How does the Junin virus spread?
MODES OF TRANSMISSION: Human exposure to Junin virus is believed to occur mainly through inhalation of aerosolised body fluids (blood, saliva) or excretions (urine, faeces) of infected rodents, typically during agricultural work(1,3,4,11,13).
What does the Junin virus look like?
Junin (Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever) Junin is an enveloped virus containing two single-stranded RNA molecules. Virions are pleomorphic; particles varying in diameter from about 40 to 200 nm, with evenly spaced glycoprotein spikes protruding 7–10 nm from the surface (Buchmeier et al., 2006).
What is Argentine hemorrhagic fever?
Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a rodent-borne illness caused by the arenavirus Junin that is endemic to the humid pampas of Argentina. AHF has had significant morbidity since its emergence in the 1950s, with a case-fatality rate of the illness without treatment between 15% and 30%.
Is there a vaccine for Junin virus?
Junin virus (JUNV) is a pathogen of biodefense importance due to its potential for aerosol transmission and mortality rates reaching 30%. Currently, there are no JUNV vaccines licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for at-risk individuals.
What does Junin mean?
Medical Definition of Junin virus : a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Arenavirus (species Junin virus) that is the causative agent of a hemorrhagic fever endemic in agricultural regions of Argentina and that is transmitted to humans chiefly by rodents (especially genus Calomys)
Is Lassa an arenavirus?
Person-to-person transmission can occur with certain arenaviruses, such as Chapare, Lassa, Machupo, and Lujo viruses. This type of transmission usually occurs when there is direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected individuals.
Is Lassa fever real?
Lassa fever is an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral illness. It is endemic in parts of West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. Neighboring countries are also at risk, as the animal vector for Lassa virus, the “multimammate rat” (Mastomys natalensis) is distributed throughout the region.
What is Sabia virus?
Brazilian hemorrhagic fever, caused by the Sabia virus (a newly discovered arenavirus), is a viral hemorrhagic fever, believed to originate from Sao Paulo, Brazil, with only 3 reported cases (2 of which were due to laboratory accidents) to date, characterized by fever, nausea vomiting myalgia tremors, and hemorragic …
How is arenavirus transmitted?
Most infections spread among adult rodents through scratches and bites, although for certain arenaviruses, the virus passes from mother to offspring during pregnancy. Arenaviruses are shed into the environment in the urine, saliva, or droppings of infected rodent hosts.
Are Alphaviruses enveloped?
Alphavirus particles are enveloped, have a 70 nm diameter, tend to be spherical (although slightly pleomorphic), and have a 40 nm isometric nucleocapsid.
Is there a cure for Lassa virus?
Although Lassa virus was first described over 5 decades ago in 1969, no treatments or vaccines have been approved to treat or prevent infection.