Presence of Arenavirus in Mus musculus, Chiapas, Mexico

An outbreak of a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever, caused by an Arenavirus whose reservoir was Peromyscus mexicanus, occurred in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, in June 1967. In order to determine whether any Arenavirus is nowadays present in the same region of the state of Chiapas (municipalities of Ocozocoautla de Espinosa and Berriozábal), we surveyed rodents as potential Arenavirus reservoirs. Three species of rodents, Mus musculus, Peromyscus mexicanus, and Rattus rattus, previously identified as Arenavirus reservoirs, were registered in the study area. We detected the presence of Arenavirus RNA in one Mus musculus individual captured in an urban area. It is necessary to continue monitoring wildlife and carry out serological and molecular analyzes to investigate the incidence and future prevalence of Arenavirus in the area and propose specific actions for its control.