NEW ARENAVIRUS ISOLATED IN BRAZIL

A new arenavirus, called Sabia, was isolated in Brazil from a fatal ca se of haemorrhagic fever initially thought to be yellow fever. Antigen ic and molecular characterisation indicated that Sabia virus is a new member of the Tacaribe complex. A laboratory technician working with t he agent was also infected and developed a prolonged, non-fatal influe nza-like illness. Sabia virus is yet another arenavirus causing human disease in South America.