(ANSA) – ROME, SEPTEMBER 13 – A new virus transmitted by ticks could cause fever and neurological symptoms. This was revealed by research published in the New England Journal of Medicine and conducted by a group of Chinese researchers: they analyzed in the laboratory 17 cases of infection found in Northeast China, with unexplained fever, headache, vomiting and dizziness.
The first case to have been infected by the “Wetland virus” (Welv), i.e. wetlands virus, would have been bitten by the Haemaphysalis concinna tick that mainly infests rodents and is also present in Russia and Central Europe. In all the human cases studied so far, no deaths have been recorded, but according to the researchers, the infection can affect the brain, causing neurological diseases. In particular, one of the patients positive for the virus went into a coma after showing high levels of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid.
“Overall, these data suggest that a newly discovered orthonairovirus, Welv, is pathogenic to humans and is circulating among humans, ticks, and various animals in northeast China,” the researchers said. “Improving surveillance and detection of emerging orthonairoviruses will provide a better understanding of the impact of these viruses on human health.” The new infectious agent has been classified within the nairovirus genus, which also includes a sheep virus in Kenya and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus.
(ANSA).
2024-09-13 16:23:38