NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Government of Córdoba, in south-central Argentina announced this week two people have contracted Argentine hemorrhagic fever year to date.

Mus musculus
Image/ Андрей Перцев 1967 at Russian Wikimedia Commons

The individuals live in the towns of Bell Ville and Laborde.

The Ministry of Health reiterates the importance of vaccination against this disease, indicated for all people between 15 and 65 years of age who live or work mainly in rural areas.

Although more common in rural agricultural areas, there is a risk of infection in any area where the rodent hosts of Junin virus are found.

Argentine hemorrhagic fever is caused by infection with Junin virus, an arenavirus.  The hosts of Junin virus are rodents, particularly Mus musculus, Calomys spp., and Akodon azarae.

Human infections occur through contact with skin, mucosa, and inhalation of aerosolized particles carrying the virus.

The fatality rate can reach 30% without treatment, although the transmission of immune plasma in the first week of onset of symptoms reduces it to 1%.

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