Bunyaviridae facts for kids

Bunyaviridae is a family of tiny living things called viruses. These viruses are special because they have their genetic information stored in something called "negative-stranded RNA". Think of RNA as a blueprint for how the virus works.

Even though these viruses are usually found in arthropods (like insects and ticks) or rodents (like mice and rats), some of them can sometimes infect humans. They can also infect plants, causing diseases in crops.

What are Bunyaviruses?

Bunyaviruses are a group of viruses that are very small, much smaller than bacteria. They are known for having their genetic material divided into three main pieces. This makes them unique compared to many other viruses.

These viruses are named after the Bunyamwera virus, which was first found in Uganda in 1943. Since then, scientists have discovered many different types of bunyaviruses all over the world.

Where Do Bunyaviruses Live?

Bunyaviruses are often found in animals, especially arthropods and rodents.

• Arthropods: This group includes insects like mosquitoes and flies, and also ticks. Many bunyaviruses are carried by these tiny creatures. When an infected mosquito bites an animal or a person, it can pass the virus along.
• Rodents: Some bunyaviruses live in rodents. These viruses can spread through the rodents' droppings, urine, or saliva. If humans come into contact with these, they can get infected.

Some bunyaviruses can also infect plants. They are usually spread by tiny insects that feed on plants, like thrips.

How Do Bunyaviruses Spread?

The way bunyaviruses spread depends on the specific type of virus.

• Through Bites: Many bunyaviruses are spread by the bite of an infected arthropod, such as a mosquito or a tick. These tiny creatures act like carriers, picking up the virus from an infected animal and then passing it to another animal or a human when they bite.
• Through Contact: Some bunyaviruses, like hantaviruses, spread when people breathe in tiny particles from the droppings, urine, or saliva of infected rodents. This can happen if you are in an area where rodents live, like a barn or an old shed.
• Through Plants: Plant-infecting bunyaviruses are often spread by insects that feed on plants. When these insects move from one plant to another, they can carry the virus with them.

What Do Bunyaviruses Do?

When bunyaviruses infect humans, they can cause different kinds of illnesses. Most of the time, these illnesses are mild, like a fever or flu-like symptoms. However, some bunyaviruses can cause more serious problems.

It's important to remember that not all bunyaviruses infect humans, and even those that do are often not very common. Scientists and doctors study these viruses to understand how they work and how to keep people healthy.

Images for kids

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  Peribunyavirus virion structure

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  Nairovirus life cycle.

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  Phylogenetic tree of Bunyavirales

See also

In Spanish: Bunyavirales para niños