Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccine Development of Arenaviruses Causing Human Hemorrhagic Fever

DOI: 10.6524/EB.202503_41(5).0002

Ting-Yi Chiang

2025 Vol.41 NO.5

Correspondence Author： Ting-Yi Chiang

Abstract：

    Arenaviruses cause zoonotic diseases spread by wild rodents, as well as a variety of severe and fatal hemorrhagic fevers in humans. The rodent hosts of arenaviruses are widely distributed, have high reproduction rates, and can survive in a variety of habitats. The risks of disease transmission need to be considered. Among them, the Lassa virus often causes epidemics in West African countries. Symptomatic patients have a high mortality rate, and survivors often suffer from various permanent sequelae (such as sensorineural hearing loss), causing a huge socioeconomic burden. Therefore, the Lassa virus is considered a high-priority pathogen, according to the WHO R&D Blueprint. Due to the high fatality rate of the arenavirus, the risk of overseas migration, and the potential for use as biological weapons, the arenavirus may pose a serious threat to public health and require aggressive medical countermeasures. We summarized relevant information on the epidemic situation of human hemorrhagic fever caused by the arenavirus and the progress of medical countermeasures, which provides a reference for future epidemic prevention policies.