Scientists in China have identified a completely new virus transmitted by ticks. The infection resembles influenza and causes patients to develop high fever, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and laboratory abnormalities. A team of researchers from the Beijing Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosafety identified the new orthonairovirus and named it the \u201cAsian Longhorned Tick Nairovirus\u201d (ALTNV).<\/p>\n
The discovery was published in the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>. Scientists began the study after 30% of patients with symptoms of Dabie bandavirus (DBV) tested negative. DBV is widespread in Asia, causes high fever, and is fatal in 10\u201330% of cases.<\/p>\n The researchers collected samples from patients with tick bites across several provinces in China. Using RNA sequencing, they precisely identified the new virus. Of the 3,163 patients examined, 10.4% tested positive for ALTNV. Moreover, the virus was detected in 15.1% of people who had tested negative for DBV.<\/p>\n Patients infected only with ALTNV mainly reported fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, low platelet counts, and liver inflammation. According to doctors, these patients made a full recovery. However, when both viruses are present simultaneously, the risks increase significantly. Among 38 co-infected patients, researchers recorded severe respiratory and kidney problems, and seven of them died.<\/p>\n To determine the virus\u2019s geographic distribution, the scientists examined more than 47,000 ticks across 15 provinces. ALTNV RNA was detected in the highest quantities in ticks of the Haemaphysalis longicornis<\/em> species. The researchers conclude that the simultaneous circulation of the two viruses in the region requires an urgent improvement in diagnostic methods.<\/p>\n