(ar‵ĕ-nă-vī'rŭs )

Plural: arenaviruses

[arena + virus]

Any of the single genus of viruses of the family Arenaviridae. These viruses are a source of zoonotic infections throughout the world. Some species in the group, e.g., Guanarito, Junin, Machupo, and Sabia virus, cause hemorrhagic fevers. Others, e.g., lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, cause aseptic meningitis.

SEE: Lassa fever.