United States: Researchers are issuing a cautionary note regarding a recently identified virus in China, one transmitted to humans through tick bites, carrying the potential to affect the brain.
The Wetland virus (WELV) surfaced in a 61-year-old individual who reported being bitten by ticks during a visit to a vast wetland park in northern China. Five days after this encounter, the patient experienced fever, headaches, and repeated episodes of vomiting, according to Live Science.
This incident, which took place in June 2019, was documented last week in the New England Journal of Medicine.
This novel orthonairovirus—a classification for certain tick-borne viruses—spurred Chinese scientists to investigate ticks and wildlife that might serve as carriers of the pathogen, as reported by the New York Post.
Their investigation involved collecting and examining approximately 14,600 ticks, leading to the discovery of WELV material in five distinct tick species.
The Haemaphysalis concinna, a tick species primarily associated with rats and commonly found in China, Russia, and parts of Central Europe, tested positive with the greatest frequency.
Moreover, the virus was identified in 17 hospitalized patients in China, all of whom exhibited symptoms within a month of being bitten by a tick. Several animals, including sheep, horses, pigs, and rodents, were also carriers of the virus, according to Live Science.
In laboratory experiments with mice, the virus proved lethal, causing infections that penetrated the brain.
Among the human patients, common symptoms included fever, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, backaches, and nausea. One individual who fell into a coma was found to have an elevated white blood cell count in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The virus-induced tissue damage and blood clotting; however, encouragingly, all patients recuperated and were released from the hospital within four to 15 days post-treatment, as per the New York Post.
In the United States, tick-related concerns are prevalent, particularly with the rising incidence of Lyme disease.
NewYork-Presbyterian advises steering clear of leaf litter and tall grass. For those who venture into wooded or grassy areas, it is recommended to pre-treat clothing with insect-repellent permethrin.
Wearing light-colored clothing can assist in spotting ticks, while long sleeves and trousers provide an additional barrier against them, as per reports by the NY Post.
Upon completing activities such as hiking, camping, or gardening, it is essential to inspect areas like your hair, ears, underarms, groin, waist, behind the knees, and even the navel for any ticks.