Chapare Virus—An Emerging Hemorrhagic Fever Threat: A CBRNE Perspective on Preparedness and Biosecurity Risks

Chapare virus (CHAV), an emerging Bolivian arenavirus causing severe hemorrhagic fever, provides a critical case study for rethinking pandemic preparedness in an era of escalating zoonotic threats. With its case-fatality rate exceeding 60% and documented human-to-human transmission, CHAV exemplifies the convergence of natural spillover risks and potential bioterrorism concerns, which warrant its classification alongside U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) category A priority pathogens. This study examines how military-derived Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) frameworks, including syndromic surveillance networks and advanced biodetection technologies, might transform preparedness for high-consequence arenaviruses. Climate-driven rodent migration in South America exacerbates outbreak risks, and the absence of point-of-care diagnostics and approved therapeutics leaves global health systems vulnerable. We demonstrate how conflict-tested tools, such as portable genomic sequencers and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-style biosurveillance protocols, could be repurposed for real-time CHAV monitoring in endemic regions. The analysis identifies urgent gaps in biosecurity policy, particularly regarding rodent-borne viruses, and proposes a dual-pathway strategy to strengthen One Health surveillance while integrating biodefense infrastructure to mitigate both natural outbreaks and intentional releases. This work underscores the imperative to bridge civilian and military preparedness paradigms for emerging zoonoses with pandemic potential.