At a recent international conference, researchers confirmed the reappearance of the Chapare virus in Bolivia. Appearing for the first time more than fifteen years ago, this virus made its comeback last year. Three people have died from it, after experiencing dengue-like symptoms.
Recently, the International Symposium on Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture in Mediterranean Climate (TROPMED2020) took place. A publication from November 16, 2020 relates the statement of US CDC researchers. They indeed described a worrying situation in Bolivia. This is about the Chapare virus , whose first appearance in the Bolivian province of the same name dates back to 2003. At the time, this rare virus caused the death of one person.
In the capital La Paz in 2019, doctors treated three patients due to hemorrhagic fever, one of whom lost his life. Five people came into contact with these patients and were infected. Two of them succumbed. Thus, a total of three people died after the virus returned, four counting the 2003 patient.
The Chapare virus is part of the arenavirus family and its natural reservoirs are rodents. According to Caitlin Cossaboom, one of the epidemiologists who spoke, many bodily fluids can potentially carry the virus. Transmission from animals to humans generally takes place through direct (or indirect) contact with urine, saliva or even in the event of scratches or bites. For human-to-human transmission, bodily fluids such as urine, blood, semen, saliva, and respiratory secretions are involved. In some cases, medical procedures can be a source of infection. Examples include chest compressions, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubations.
Symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding gums, or even a rash. There may also be pain behind the eyes (retro-orbital). For the researchers, it is possible that this disease circulates without it being formally identified. Indeed, its symptoms can be confused with those of dengue fever.
Nevertheless, researchers believe that this kind of virus is more easily controllable than certain respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no treatment to fight against the Chapare virus. The patients simply received certain supportive care such as intravenous infusions.
