Scientists have recently identified a new tick-borne disease in China that poses a risk of brain damage to those infected. The Wetland virus (WELV), a member of the orthonairovirus genus, was first discovered in Inner Mongolia in 2019 when a 61-year-old man sought medical attention for symptoms such as persistent fever and multiple organ dysfunction after being bitten by a tick at a wetland park. However, it was not until a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that the virus was formally identified.
A team of researchers from the Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology isolated the virus from the patient in Inner Mongolia and subsequently identified it as WELV. Further laboratory testing revealed the virus in 17 other patients across China who exhibited symptoms including fever, headache, dizziness, muscle pain, fatigue, back pain, arthritis, swollen lymph nodes, and neurologic issues. Some patients also presented with petechiae, which are skin spots caused by capillary bleeding.
After receiving antiviral medications, antibiotics, or immunoglobulin therapy, all patients recovered without experiencing any long-term health effects. However, researchers warn that the virus is similar to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, which can cause severe symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pains, vomiting, diarrhea, skin bleeding, and liver failure, with the potential for brain damage and death.
The RNA of the Wetland virus has been found in five different tick species, as well as in sheep, horses, pigs, and rodents in northeastern China. When injected into mice and hamsters, the virus has been shown to cause brain damage and death, highlighting the potential seriousness of this newly discovered disease.
Diagnosing the Wetland virus may prove challenging due to its non-specific symptoms resembling those of a general illness. Researchers emphasize the importance of improving surveillance and detection of emerging orthonairoviruses to better understand their impact on human health.
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, emphasized the significance of the findings, noting that the virus can cause hemorrhagic fever and be potentially deadly. However, he reassured that while it is important to monitor the situation, cases of the Wetland virus remain rare.
Dr. Edward Liu, chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, explained that tick-borne diseases typically spread slowly as ticks shift their environments, unlike respiratory viruses that can transmit more easily across continents. He emphasized that viruses or bacteria living in ticks are specific to certain species and do not automatically transfer to ticks in the U.S., alleviating concerns of a COVID-19-type pandemic.
While the Wetland disease poses a risk of hemorrhagic fever, which can be deadly, elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk. Prevention against tick-borne diseases is key, with experts recommending identifying and avoiding tick habitats such as wooded, grassy, or brushy areas where ticks may reside, as well as treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin to repel ticks.
Additionally, applying an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET and conducting thorough checks for ticks on clothing, gear, and pets after outdoor activities can help prevent tick bites. Showering within a couple of hours of coming indoors, drying clothing at high heat, and conducting a full body check can also reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses.
As research continues on the Wetland virus and other emerging tick-borne diseases, vigilance in tick prevention and awareness of symptoms following tick bites are crucial in protecting public health. The study at the Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences.
In conclusion, the discovery of the Wetland virus in China underscores the importance of ongoing research and surveillance of tick-borne diseases to mitigate their impact on human health. Collaboration among scientists, healthcare providers, and public health agencies is essential in identifying and addressing emerging infectious threats to ensure the well-being of individuals globally.