b Incubation period: 1-2 weeks

b Epidemiology: Junin virus is geographically restricted to central areas of the Pampas in the farmlands of Argentina. The virus was discovered in 1958 by Parodi. Infection rates can reach 12% in endemic areas and poses a serious health problem.

b Symptomology and Outcomes: Symptoms of Junin virus include asthenia, muscular pain, dizziness, skin and mucosal rashes, lymph node enlargement, cutaneous petechiae and retrocular pain. After six to ten days of infection cardiovascular, digestive, renal, and neurologic symptoms become worse. After 10-15 days of infection, 80% of infected patients improve in condition. Most individuals recover fully.

b Pathology and Pathogenesis: In fatal cases of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever non-specific lesions are found and hemorrhages in gastrointestinal mucosa, different organs, and subcutaneos tissues are found.

b Prevention and Management: Contraction of Junin virus can be prevented by avoiding contact with rodents of the calomys genus. These rodents are the main reservoir for the virus. The disease can be managed through supportive treatment of symptoms and administration of ribavirin during early stages of infection.