NAME: Junin virus/ Machupo virus
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, Argentinian hemorrhagic fever, South American hemorrhagic fever
CHARACTERISTICS: Arenaviridae; pleomorphic, enveloped globular virions 110-130 nm in diameter, linear, single-stranded, two-segmented RNA
PATHOGENICITY: Insidious onset of fever, malaise, headache and muscular pains; petechiae may appear on the upper trunk, oral mucosae; bleeding may occur from the nose, gums, stomach, intestine; severe cases may be presented with hypotensive shock and neurologic crisis with fatality of 5-30%
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Junin virus found mainly in Argentina; Machupo virus found in Bolivia; both viruses have peak incidence during May-June
HOST RANGE: Humans, rodents
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By aerosol transmission via dust contaminated with infected rodent excreta; abraded skin may be portal of entry of virus
INCUBATION PERIOD: Usually 7-16 days
COMMUNICABILITY: Direct person-to-person transmission reported
RESERVOIR: Rodents (Calomys musculinus, C. laucha for Junin virus; Calomys callosus for Machupo virus)
ZOONOSIS: Yes - disease acquired through contact with rodents
VECTORS: None
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to ribavirin
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivated by UV irradiation
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive to drying
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by viral isolation and serological analysis
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer supportive therapy. Convalescent human plasma effective in Junin disease. Ribavirin may also be effective
IMMUNIZATION: Live attenuated vaccine licensed for Junin in Argentina. Monkey study suggests it may prevent Machupo disease
PROPHYLAXIS: None proven, but passive antibodies and/or ribavirin should be tried in event of overt exposure to virus
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 21 cases of Junin virus (1 death) and 6 cases of Machupo virus (1 death) were reported
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood, blood products, saliva, excreta, respiratory and throat secretions from human and animal hosts
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, droplet exposure of the mucous membranes; aerosols
SPECIAL HAZARDS: Contact with feces from infected animals; contact with dust containing infective particles
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 4 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving the virus, infectious or potentially infectious body fluids or tissues
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Remove street clothing and replace with complete laboratory clothing, the nature of which depends on the Level 4 design
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Clinical specimens from persons suspected of being infected with this virus should be submitted to a Level 4 containment facility
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to-settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes and materials from the containment laboratory before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration, gaseous methods; includes liquid and solid wastes
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled and contained within the Level 4 facility
Date prepared: September, 1996 Prepared by: Office of Biosafety
LCDC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.