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Argentine hemorrhagic fever

disease
Also known as: Junin virus disease

Quick Summary

Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a severe, often fatal viral disease caused by the Junin virus, which belongs to the Arenaviridae family. It is one of several arenavirus-induced hemorrhagic fevers that are typically transmitted to humans through contact with rodents.12

These rodents, often infected without showing symptoms, excrete the virus in their bodily fluids. Human infection occurs when people come into contact with contaminated food or soil. AHF is geographically restricted to Argentina and is characterized by bleeding, fever, and shock. While other viral hemorrhagic fevers exist, AHF is specifically linked to the Junin virus and its rodent hosts in South America.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. viral hemorrhagic fever
  2. arenavirus

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