Arenavirus

virus genus

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July 19, 2026

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Arenaviruses are a genus of viruses belonging to the family Arenaviridae. The name "arenavirus" comes from the Latin word arenosus, meaning "sandy," due to the grainy appearance of the virus particles' ribosomes. These viruses are spherical and enveloped, with a diameter of 110–130 nm.12

The arenavirus genome consists of two segments of negative-sense RNA. They are known to cause serious diseases in humans, including Lassa fever and various hemorrhagic fevers. Arenaviruses are adapted to specific rodent hosts, which act as reservoirs without showing signs of infection. Humans can become infected through contact with contaminated rodent excreta.1

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arenavirus
…consists of a single genus, Arenavirus, which contains more than 20 different species. Arenaviruses are widely distributed in animals and can cause serious disease in humans. The arenaviruses are evolutionarily adapted to specific rodent hosts, which generally show no signs of viral infection and thus act as reservoirs for the…
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…consists of a single genus, Arenavirus, which contains more than 20 different species. Arenaviruses are widely distributed in animals and can cause serious disease in humans. The arenaviruses are evolutionarily adapted to specific rodent hosts, which generally show no signs of viral infection and thus act as reservoirs for the…
Read More