Chapare Virus Explained: What it this Virus? How does it spread?

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have discovered a rare Ebola-like disease named "Chapare Virus" which is believed to have it's origin in rural Bolivia in 2004. Researchers confirmed that it can spread through human-to-human transmission.

The biggest outbreak of the ‘Chapare virus’ was reported in 2019, when three healthcare workers came in contact of the disease from two patients in the Bolivian capital of La Paz. Among them two of the medical professionals and one patient later died. Prior to that, a single confirmed case of the disease and a small cluster were documented in the Chapare region over a decade ago.

The virus is believed to be carried by rats, which in turn may have passed it to humans. These viruses are spread through bodily fluids and are much easier to contain than virus which are spread through respiration such as Covid-19.

The reports were presented on Monday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)

Chapare virus is typically transmitted either through direct or indirect contact with the patients saliva, urine, and  even the droppings of infected rodents. It can also be transmitted by bites of rodents.

The researchers also found fragments of genetic entities known as RNA, associated with Chapare, in the semen of one survivor 168 days after he was infected. This has led to conclusion that the disease can also be sexually transmitted.

CDC said that patients who recover from infections may continue to shed virus in blood, saliva, urine, or semen for months after they no longer have symptoms.

Chapare Virus Explained: What it this Virus? How does it spread?