Arenavirus

**Semantic type:** Virus

**Definition:** A genus of negative-sense, single-stranded, RNA viruses of the family Arenaviridae that are spherical in shape and enveloped in a lipid membrane. The mechanism of replication is unknown, however new virions containing host ribosomes bud off of the surface of host cells. These zoonotic viruses are found mostly in rodent reservoirs, although the Tacaribe virus was isolated from a bat.

**Synonyms:** - ARENAVIRUS