As of 2019, there had only been four documented infections of Brazilian mammarenavirus: two occurred naturally, and the other two cases occurred in the clinical setting.[8] The first naturally occurring case was in 1990, when a female agricultural engineer who was staying in the neighborhood of Jardim Sabiá in the municipality of Cotia, a suburb of São Paulo, Brazil contracted the disease (The virus is also known as "Sabiá Virus").[9] She presented with hemorrhagic fever and died.[4] Her autopsy showed liver necrosis.[4] A virologist who was studying the woman's disease contracted the virus but survived.[4]Ribavirin was not given in these first two cases.[4] Four years later, in 1994, a researcher was exposed to the virus in a level 3 biohazard facility at Yale University when a centrifuge bottle cracked, leaked, and released aerosolized virus particles.[4][10] He was successfully treated with ribavirin.[4][11]
A fourth case, also naturally acquired in upstate São Paulo, was reported in January 2020.[12] The patient died 12 days after the onset of symptoms.[13]
^Gandsman, E. J.; Aaslestad, H. G.; Ouimet, T. C.; Rupp, W. D. (1997). "Sabia virus incident at Yale University". American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal. 58 (1): 51–3. doi:10.1080/15428119791013080. PMID9018837.