Argentine haemorrhagic fever

Last reviewed 01/2018

Argentine haemorrhagic fever is caused by an arenavirus and is carried by wild rodents, urine and saliva. Spread is with dust, ie airbourne.

The disease is associated with annual outbreaks of severe illness in autumn and winter, affecting mostly males.

There is an incubation period of seven to sixteen days, and there are no distinctive features. There are CNS signs in severe disease.

Treatment with serum from convalescent patients, which contain a high level of neutralising antibody, can be effective.