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Strain reference · Central America

Choclo virus (CHOV)

Choclo virus is endemic to Panama, where it produces a milder HPS than the South American Andes virus or the North American Sin Nombre virus. CFR is approximately 10% — high relative to most respiratory infections, low relative to other HPS-causing hantaviruses.

At a glance

Reservoir hostPygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys fulvescens)
Geographic rangePanama, primarily Los Santos and Herrera provinces
Disease syndromeHantavirus pulmonary syndrome (milder than other Americas strains)
Case fatality rate~10%
VaccineNone licensed in most countries
Specific treatmentNone. Supportive care.

Summary

Choclo virus is endemic to Panama, where it produces a milder HPS than the South American Andes virus or the North American Sin Nombre virus. CFR is approximately 10% — high relative to most respiratory infections, low relative to other HPS-causing hantaviruses.

The virus is named after the Spanish word for corn (choclo) reflecting its association with rural agricultural exposure in the Azuero Peninsula.

Notable history

Related