Emerging Infectious Diseases (Oct 2011)

Novel Arenavirus, Zambia

  • Akihiro Ishii,
  • Yuka Thomas,
  • Ladslav Moonga,
  • Ichiro Nakamura,
  • Aiko Ohnuma,
  • Bernard M. Hang’ombe,
  • Ayato Takada,
  • Aaron S. Mweene,
  • Hirofumi Sawa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1710.101452
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 10
pp. 1921 – 1924

Abstract

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To investigate arenavirus in Zambia, we characterized virus from the kidneys of 5 arenavirus RNA–positive rodents (Mastomys natalensis) among 263 captured. Full-genome sequences of the viruses suggested that they were new strains similar to Lassa virus–related arenaviruses. Analyzing samples from additional rodents and other species can elucidate epizootiologic aspects of arenaviruses.

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