Chapare virus infection confirmed in La Paz, Bolivia
The International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) for the Plurinational State of Bolivia notified the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 7 of one laboratory-confirmed human infection with Chapare virus (CHAPV) from one of the municipalities of La Paz Department. The patient is an adult male farmer in the age group of 50-60 years.
The patient developed symptoms including fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and bleeding gums on 19 December 2024 and sought medical attention on 24 December. On 30 December, he was transferred to the local Health Center of the municipality due to worsening symptoms, where he died the same day. Blood samples were collected on 30 December before his death and sent to the National Center of Tropical Diseases (CENETROP), which confirmed CHAPV detection through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR specific for CHAPV) testing on 2 January 2025.
An epidemiological investigation revealed significant risk factors for zoonotic disease transmission, including severe rodent infestation in and around the patient’s home. Environmental conditions such as wooden and corrugated metal housing, dirt floors, and peri-domestic coconut plantings created a conducive environment for rodent activity. The patient’s occupation as a farmer likely involved exposure to rodent burrows, further increasing the risk of infection.
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Blood samples were collected from two close contacts of the case, which were negative. As of 13 January 2025, no secondary cases have been reported, and all identified contacts remain asymptomatic. Public health measures, including disinfection and rodent control, have been implemented, and investigations are ongoing. This is the fifth documented outbreak of Chapare hemorrhagic fever (CHHF) in Bolivia and globally since the virus was first identified in 2003.