Sindbis virus (SINV) Agent Information Sheet

Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP)
Boston University
617-358-7647

Agent

Sindbis fever is a self-limiting, mild, febrile disease with vesicular exanthema and arthralgia.  Many infections cause no symptoms. Acutely symptoms consist of headache, fever, arthralgias (small joints).  An M-P rash, fatigue, and muscle pain may develop.  Rash including vesicular rash can affect trunk, limbs, palms, and sides.  Recovery occurs in 14 days.  Fifty percent of patients may have joint symptoms for up to 12 months to 2 years.

  1. Disease/Infection
    SINV causes a rash-small joint arthritis syndrome characterized by fever, M-P rash, headache, and arthralgia in humans.
  2. Pathogenicity
    SINV usually causes a self-limited febrile illness that resolves in 1-2 weeks; however, arthralgia may persist in 50% of infected people for months to years. Asymptomatic infections occur. Fatal infections have not been reported.
  3. Biosafety Information
    1. Risk Group/BSL
      Risk Group 2
      Biosafety level: BSL2/ABSL2
    2. Modes of Transmission
      Bite from various mosquitoes (Anopheles,  Mansonia, Aedes, Culiseta, Culex species).   Virus has been isolated in ticks.

      Transmission
      Skin Exposure (Needlestick, animal bite, or scratch):Needlestick
      Mucous Membrane Exposure Splash to Eye(s), Nose or Mouth:Direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes
      Inhalation:Unlikely unless aerosolized
      Ingestion:Unlikely in laboratory setting
  4. Host Range/Reservoir (Asymptomatic)
    Wild birds are the natural reservoir.  Migratory birds may contribute to transmission.
  5. Symptoms
    Low grade fever, arthralgia, headache, itchy rash, and myalgia
  6. Incubation Period
    Up to 10 days.  No person-to-person transmission.
  7. Viability
    Sindbis virus can infect and survive outside in cell culture.  Also, can survive in biological materials for an extended period.
  8. Survival Outside Host
    Can survive in biologic materials for an extended period.

Information for Lab Workers

  1. Laboratory PPE
    BSL-2 precautions – lab coat, gown, and gloves. Wear eye protection if splash risk.  No lab acquired infections have been reported.
  2. Containment
    BSL-2 and ABSL-2 practices
  3. In Case of Exposure/Disease
    1. For injuries in the lab which are major medical emergencies (heart attacks, seizures, etc…):
      1. Medical Campus: call or have a coworker call the Control Center at 617-358-4144
      2. Charles River Campus: call or have a coworker call campus security at 617-353-2121. You will be referred to or transported to the appropriate health care location by the emergency response team.
    2. For lab exposures (needle sticks, bite, cut, scratch, splash, etc…) involving animals or infectious agents, or for unexplained symptoms or illness call the ROHP 24/7-hour number (1-617-358-ROHP (7647); or 8-ROHP (7647) if calling from an on-campus location) to be connected with the BU Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) medical officer. ROHP will refer you to the appropriate health care location.
    3. Under any of these scenarios, always inform the physician of your work in the laboratory and the agent(s) that you work with.
    4. Provide the wallet-size agent ID card to the physician.
  4. Vaccination
    None available

Information for First Responders/Medical Personnel

  1. Public Health Issues
    After exposure: No human-to-human transmission.
    In case of illness: Standard precautions
    PPE: Standard precautions
  2. Diagnosis/Surveillance
    Diagnosed by PCR or 4-fold rise in acute and convalescent serum specimens on blood serology – IgM and IgG response (ELISA)
  3. First Aid/Post Exposure Prophylaxis
    Perform one of the following actions:

    Skin Exposure (Needlestick or scratch):Immediately go to the sink and thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Decontaminate any exposed skin surfaces with an antiseptic scrub solution.
    Mucous Membrane Splash to Eye(s), Nose or Mouth:Exposure should be irrigated vigorously for 15 minutes.
    Splash Affecting Garments:Remove garments that may have become soiled or contaminated and place them in a double red plastic bag.
  4. Treatment
    There is no treatment other than supportive care.
  5. References
    European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Facts about Sindbis fever. Available at: https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/sindbis-fever/facts. (Accessed 7/27/2017)Kurkela S, Rätti O, Huhtamo E, et al. Sindbis Virus Infection in Resident Birds, Migratory Birds, and Humans, Finland. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2008;14(1):41-47. Taylor RM, Hurlbut HS, Work TH, Kingston JR, Frothingham TE. Sindbis virus: a newly recognized arthropod-transmitted virus. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1955 Sep;4(5):844-62.
  6. Pathogen Safety Data Sheets:  Infectious Substances – Sindbis Virus (SINV)- Government of Canada

Revised 4/22/24

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