Mayaro virus (MAYV) Agent Information Sheet

Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP)
Boston University
617-358-7647

Agent

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is a single-strand positive RNA virus belonging to the Togaviridae family and genus alphavirus. Since its isolation in Trinidad in 1954, sporadic outbreaks due to MAYV have occurred in Brazil and Bolivia. The virus or antibodies against the virus have also been detected in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Surinam, Bolivia, French Guiana, Trinidad and Venezuela. MAYV causes an acute febrile illness in humans that is difficult to distinguish clinically from other mosquito-borne infections, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus.

1. Disease/Infection
   MAYV virus causes acute febrile illness with fever, chills, severe arthralgia, headache, myalgia, and rash.
2. Pathogenicity
   The illness is usually self-limited, lasting 3–5 days, with uneventful recover, although prolonged arthralgia may occur. A fatal infection with hemorrhagic fever has been reported.
3. Biosafety Information
   1. Risk Group/BSL
      Risk Group 2
      Biosafety level: BSL2/ABSL2
   2. Modes of Transmission
      Transmission is thought to occur mainly through mosquito vectors, especially Haemagogus spp., but Aedes spp. mosquitoes may also be competent vectors.

• Host Range/Reservoir
  Mosquitoes and vertebrates. Natural reservoirs of MAYV are sylvatic vertebrates, mainly nonhuman primates, birds and reptiles.
• Symptoms
  Fever, severe arthralgia, rash, eye pain, headache, myalgia, and occasionally nausea and vomiting, photophobia, abdominal pain, cough, diarrhea, and sore throat. A fatal infection with hemorrhagic fever has been reported.
• Incubation Period
  Unknown
• Viability
  Susceptible to 70% alcohol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, and 2% glutaraldehyde
• Survival Outside Host
  Unknown

Information for Lab Workers

1. Laboratory PPE
   BSL-2 precautions – lab coat, gown, and gloves. Wear eye protection if splash risk.
2. Containment
   BSL-2 and ABSL-2 practices
3. In Case of Exposure/Disease
   1. For injuries in the lab which are major medical emergencies (heart attacks, seizures, etc…):
      1. Medical Campus: call or have a coworker call the Control Center at 617-414–4144.
      2. Charles River Campus: call or have a coworker call campus security at 617-353-2121. You will be referred to or transported to the appropriate health care location by the emergency response team.
   2. For lab exposures (needle sticks, bite, cut, scratch, splash, etc…) involving animals or infectious agents, or for unexplained symptoms or illness call the ROHP 24/7 hour number (1-617-358-ROHP (7647); or, 8-ROHP (7647) if calling from an on-campus location) to be connected with the BU Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) medical officer. ROHP will refer you to the appropriate health care location.
   3. Under any of these scenarios, always inform the physician of your work in the laboratory and the agent(s) that you work with.
   4. Provide the wallet-size agent ID card to the physician.
4. Vaccination
   None available.

Information for First Responders/Medical Personnel

1. Public Health Issues
   No risk as not transmitted human to human
2. Diagnosis/Surveillance
   Diagnosed by PCR or 4 times rise in acute and convalescent serum specimens on blood serology – IgM and IgG response
3. First Aid/Post Exposure Prophylaxis
   Perform one of the following actions:

   Skin Exposure (Needlestick or scratch):	Immediately go to the sink and thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Decontaminate any exposed skin surfaces with an antiseptic scrub solution.
   Mucous Membrane Splash to Eye(s), Nose or Mouth:	Exposure should be irrigated vigorously.
   Splash Affecting Garments:	Remove garments that may have become soiled or contaminated and place them in a double red plastic bag.

4. Treatment
   There is no treatment other than supportive care.
5. References
   Auguste AJ, Liria J, Forrester NL, et al. Evolutionary and Ecological Characterization of Mayaro Virus Strains Isolated during an Outbreak, Venezuela, 2010. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2015;21(10):1742-1750. doi:10.3201/eid2110.141660.Halsey ES, Siles C, Guevara C, et al. Mayaro Virus Infection, Amazon Basin Region, Peru, 2010–2013. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013;19(11):1839-1842. doi:10.3201/eid1911.130777.

   Lednicky J, De Rochars V, Elbadry M, et al. Mayaro Virus in Child with Acute Febrile Illness, Haiti, 2015. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2016;22(11):2000-2002. doi:10.3201/eid2211.161015.

   Mackay IM, Arden KE. Mayaro virus: a forest virus primed for a trip to the city? Microbes Infect. 2016 Dec;18(12):724-734.

   Terzian AC, Auguste AJ, Vedovello D, Ferreira MU, da Silva-Nunes M, Sperança MA, et al. Isolation and characterization of Mayaro virus from a human in Acre, Brazil.
   Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Feb;92(2):401-4.