noun
- Any of a family of RNA viruses that typically cause hemorrhagic fever in humans and are transmitted by infected rodents.
Usage: technical; medical
Examples
- Lassa fever is caused by an arenavirus endemic to West Africa.
- The arenavirus family includes several dangerous pathogens that pose public health risks.
- Researchers are studying arenavirus transmission patterns in rodent populations.
- Junín virus, an arenavirus, causes Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
- Arenavirus infections can result in severe bleeding and organ failure in severe cases.