HUMAN ARENAVIRUSES AND THE DISEASES THEY CAUSE

Most arenaviruses are infectious for humans based on surveys of laboratory workers or residents of endemic areas who may have been exposed, but in most cases clinical infections have not been observed. Only six of the nineteen arenaviruses are associated with human disease. Pathogenesis of arenavirus disease in humans is believed to involve initial replication at the site of infection, which is usually due to aerosol deposition in lung.

VIRUS

DISEASE

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus MeningitisEurope, Americas
Lassa virusHemorrhagic feverWest Africa
Junin VirusArgentine hemorrhagic feverArgentina
Machupo VirusBolivian hemorrhagic feverBolivia
Guanarito Hemorrhagic feverVenezuela
Sabia virusBrazilian hemorrhagic feverBrazil