Bolivia Confirms Another Chapare Haemorrhagic Fever Case

The World Health Organization's Disease Outbreak News recently reported a fatal case of Chapare hemorrhagic fever (CHHF) from the La Paz Department in the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

As of January 20, 2025, no secondary cases have been reported.

The WHO defines Chapare hemorrhagic fever as an acute viral illness caused by the Chapare virus. The rodent-borne Chapare virus is an Arenavirus that can cause hemorrhagic fevers like Ebolaviruses.

Initially identified in Cochabamba in 2003, five documented outbreaks have occurred within Bolivia.

The most recent outbreak occurred in 2024, with one laboratory-confirmed case within the La Paz Department. This area in Bolivia, which has a population of about 3 million, is a neighbor of Peru.

As of January 22, 2025, the WHO says there is no significant risk of the disease spreading internationally. Person-to-person transmission of the Chapare virus is possible but remains rare in the general population. 

The U.S. CDC says CHHF is a rare, deadly viral disease. About 20% to 60% of people with the disease die.

Furthermore, there are no treatments or preventive vaccines available for CHHF.

When visiting Bolivia in 2025, the CDC recommends several travel vaccinations, such as chikungunya and yellow fever. These vaccines are offered at many travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.