Lymphocytic choriomeningitis outbreak associated with nude mice in a research institute

Research personnel who handle laboratory animals infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) may have a risk of developing lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain that is caused by LCMV. Of 31 laboratory personnel who worked with LCMV-infected mice at a research institute, seven were infected with LCMV, and one had a probable LCMV infection. Infected employees were more likely to clean the cages of infected mice or change their bedding and water than non-infected employees who worked with the mice. At the time of the outbreak of LCMV infections in research personnel, the number of experiments involving LCMV-infected mice increased, and the duration of experiments was increased from three to four weeks to three to four months.