A laboratory worker developed clinical signs of infection with Mayaro virus (Togaviridae), an
arbovirus of South and Central America, 6 days after preparation of Mayaro viral antigen and
10 days after a trip to a rain forest. There was no evidence of skin lesions during the antigen
preparation, and level 3 containment safety measures were followed. Therefore, molecular
characterization of the virus was undertaken to identify the source of infection. RT–PCR and
DNA sequence comparisons proved the infection was with the laboratory strain. Airborne
Mayaro virus contamination is thus a hazard to laboratory personnel.