Researchers have discovered that a deadly virus found in Bolivia can spread from person to person in healthcare settings, raising potential concerns of additional outbreaks in the future, according to new findings presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).
The research also provides preliminary evidence regarding the species of rodent that carries the virus and may spread it to people or to other animals that can infect humans.
“The Chapare virus is in the arenavirus family. Arenaviruses are usually spread to people through direct contact with infected rodents or indirectly through the urine or faeces (droppings) of an infected rodent,” CDC explained on its website.
There is still much that remains unknown about the Chapare virus, chiefly where it originated, how it infects humans, and the likelihood of larger outbreaks in Bolivia and elsewhere in South America.
Scientists believe the Chapare virus could have been circulating in Bolivia for several years, but infected patients may have been wrongly diagnosed as suffering from dengue, a disease that is common in the region and can produce similar symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms
According to the researchers due to the low number of documented cases of the Chapare virus, there is limited information about the progression of signs and symptoms of this illness and the incubation period.
The documented signs and symptoms of CHHF from the first and second outbreaks included some or all of the following:
- fever
- headache
- joint and muscle pain
- pain behind the eyes
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- bleeding gums
- rash
- irritability
The incubation period, or the time between initial exposure to the development of symptoms, is variable and ranges from 4 – 21 days for arenaviruses.
Treatment
As of now, there is no treatment available for this virus. Supportive therapy is important for recovery from and survival of CHHF. There is no specific treatment, so patients are treated mainly with intravenous fluids and other supportive care.
Prevention
People should avoid areas that are infested with rodents and other small mammals, or where they see signs of rodent infestation (droppings, etc.).
Chapare virus can be transmitted person-to-person. People who are sick with Chapare may be infectious in blood, saliva, urine, semen, respiratory secretions, and other body fluids while they have symptoms— and for months after they no longer have symptoms. For this reason, it is important to avoid contact with the body fluids of people who are sick with Chapare.
Take precautions to avoid contact with body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, urine, semen, respiratory secretions, etc) of infected people, even after they have recovered until they have tested negative.
