Guaroa virus, a forgotten Latin American orthobunyavirus: A narrative review

Guaroa virus (GROV) is a neglected arthropod-borne orthobunyavirus, primarily endemic to parts of Central and South America. Its epidemiological and clinical impact remains unclear due to limited research and underreporting. It has been sporadically associated with mild febrile illness in humans. GROV is thought to be transmitted by Anopheles spp. mosquitoes, but its natural reservoir hosts remain unknown. Clinically, GROV infection is characterized by fever, headache, malaise, chills, and myalgia. Co-infections with other pathogens related to febrile illnesses can occur in endemic areas. Diagnosis relies on viral isolation and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during the acute phase and serological testing in later stages. Although not directly oncogenic, GROV has been shown in experimental murine models to enhance the tumorigenic potential of certain oncogenic viruses; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and no evidence of this effect exists in humans. Risk factors include male gender, outdoor occupations, and living near mosquito habitats. Preventive measures focus on reducing vector contact. Future research is urgently needed to clarify GROV’s ecology and importance, including the identification of natural reservoirs, the role of Anopheles mosquitoes as competent vectors, and its true public health burden, particularly in rural and low-resource areas where diagnostic capacity is limited and multiple febrile illnesses co-circulate.