New deadly virus discovered by scientists

Chapare Virus, a Newly Discovered Arenavirus Isolatedfrom a Fatal Hemorrhagic Fever Case in Bolivia PLoS Pathogens 4(4): e100004, 2008.

玻利維亞宣佈進入衛生緊急狀態

【大公網訊】拉巴斯消息：玻利維亞最近發現一種能導致病人出血死亡的新病毒，於２２日宣佈「全國處於衛生緊急狀態」。 據新華社利馬４月２２日電，玻利維亞衛生部當天發佈公告說，玻中部科恰班巴省查帕雷地區最近發現一種由老鼠傳染的新病毒，目前已有３人因感染這種病毒而死亡。 公告指出，科學家們已認定這一新病毒是沙粒病毒的變種，並將它命名為「查帕雷沙粒病毒」。這種病毒內含沙樣顆粒，潛伏期為７天至１５天，致死率高達３０％以上。
目前，玻衛生部門正採取措施，防止「查帕雷沙粒病毒」蔓延。 http://news.sina.com/int/phoenixtv/105-103-102-101/2008-04-22/21132837475.html

What are the Arenaviridae?
The Arenaviridae are a family of viruses whose members are generally associated with rodent-transmitted disease in humans. Each virus usually is associated with a particular rodent host species in which it is maintained. Arenavirus infections are relatively common in humans in some areas of the world and can cause severe illnesses.