Overview
Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), also known as Junín virus disease or O'Higgins disease, is a serious viral illness caused by the Junín virus, a type of arenavirus. The disease mainly affects people living or working in agricultural areas of the Argentine Pampas region, particularly during the harvest season from March to October. The virus is carried by a type of field mouse called Calomys musculinus, and people become infected by breathing in dust contaminated with the rodent's urine, saliva, or droppings, or through direct contact with infected rodents. The disease affects multiple body systems, especially the blood vessels and immune system. It typically begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. As the illness progresses, it can cause bleeding from the gums, nose, and other areas, along with neurological problems like tremors and confusion. In severe cases, it can lead to shock and organ failure. The most important treatment is immune plasma therapy, which involves giving patients blood plasma from people who have recovered from the disease. When given early in the illness, this treatment significantly reduces the death rate from around 15-30% to about 1%. A live attenuated vaccine called Candid #1 has been developed and is used in Argentina to protect people at high risk, particularly agricultural workers in affected areas. Supportive care, including fluids and management of bleeding, is also an important part of treatment.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
High feverSevere headacheMuscle and joint painFatigue and general weaknessNausea and vomitingBleeding from the gumsNosebleedsSkin bruising or tiny red spots on the skinSwollen or red face and neckTremors or shakingConfusion or irritabilitySensitivity to lightLow blood pressureSwollen lymph nodesBlood in urine or stool
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Argentine hemorrhagic fever at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Argentine hemorrhagic fever
No recent news articles for Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How soon can I receive immune plasma treatment, and is it available at this facility?,What signs of worsening should I watch for that would require emergency care?,How long will recovery take, and when can I return to work or normal activities?,Is there a risk of spreading the infection to my family members?,Should my family members or coworkers be vaccinated with the Candid #1 vaccine?,What precautions should I take in the future to avoid getting infected again?,Are there any long-term complications I should be aware of after recovery?
Common questions about Argentine hemorrhagic fever
What is Argentine hemorrhagic fever?
Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), also known as Junín virus disease or O'Higgins disease, is a serious viral illness caused by the Junín virus, a type of arenavirus. The disease mainly affects people living or working in agricultural areas of the Argentine Pampas region, particularly during the harvest season from March to October. The virus is carried by a type of field mouse called Calomys musculinus, and people become infected by breathing in dust contaminated with the rodent's urine, saliva, or droppings, or through direct contact with infected rodents. The disease affects multiple body
How is Argentine hemorrhagic fever inherited?
Argentine hemorrhagic fever follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Argentine hemorrhagic fever typically begin?
Typical onset of Argentine hemorrhagic fever is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.