ABSTRACT
Lassa virus (LASV) is a lipid-enveloped minus-strand RNA virus that causes Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever with high morbidity and mortality rates. Taxonomically, LASV belongs to the subgroup lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-LASV Complex (Old World arenaviruses) in the genus Arenavirus, which constitutes a unique taxon in the family Arenaviridae. Together with a second subgroup Tacaribe Complex (New World arenaviruses), the genus Arenavirus contains 22 recognized viral species. In addition, there are seven newly discovered viruses that may represent putative new species in the genus.
