An arenavirus is a virus which is a member of the family Arenaviridae. These viruses infect rodents and occasionally humans.

Arenaviruses are a diverse family of small, enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses which are generally propagated through asymptomatic, chronic infection of specific rodent hosts. Several arenaviruses are significant human pathogens, including five distinct hemorrhagic fever viruses designated category A by the CDC and NIAID, which is indicative of the level of highest threat to civilian populations. Several arenaviruses, including Lassa virus (LASV), are causative agents of hemorrhagic fever, for which effective therapeutic options are lacking.

The convergence of sensitivity to diverse small-molecule inhibitors thus identifies a robust new target for arenavirus antiviral discovery within the viral entry phase.