Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Challenges and conflicts for science in rural areas

Abstract

First detected in 1955, the Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a serious acute viral illness located in an area of intensive agricultural activity. This article enquires into some of the recent lines of investigation with the purpose of analyzing how medical practices have continued or ceased to be implemented as well as determining whether the social groups identified as main risk groups of the AHF have seen any variation. In order to do this, a summary of the disease’s history has been made in addition to an investigation on the trajectory of the viral research laboratory that monopolized the research, production and distribution of the vaccine: the Maiztegui National Human Viral Disease Institute (INEVH). Based on primary as well as secondary sources and interviews with researchers and staff from the INEVH, we have studied its institutional career along with the conflicts that appeared in its development. These are associated with social and economic issues of the rural area where physicians, scientists and the affected population live and work.