Viral hemorrhagic fevers and hantavirus infections in the Americas

Abstract

Several arenaviruses and hantaviruses have been isolated in the Americas during the last 4 decades. These are rodent-borne viruses responsible for the South American hemorrhagic fevers (SAHF) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Although rare, SAHF and HPS are serious illnesses with high mortality rates. Most viral isolates found in the Americas represent New World lineages of their respective viral families. Their presence in the Western hemisphere is likely ancient, their relationship with their rodent hosts is likely coevolutionary, and their recent detection forebodes the likelihood of detecting additional arena- and hantaviral species in the Americas.