Could the "Wetland virus" be the next global health threat? Transmitted by ticks, this virus is raising concerns.
First identified in China in 2019, this pathogen is emerging in wetland areas. Scientists are investigating its potential dangers.
Illustration image from Pexels
The story begins with a 61-year-old man who was bitten by a tick in Inner Mongolia. He quickly developed fever and vomiting, prompting him to seek medical attention, but antibiotics proved ineffective.
Tests eventually revealed an unknown virus closely related to the dangerous Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. This "Wetland virus" immediately caught the attention of researchers.
The researchers then collected more than 14,000 ticks to trace the origin of the virus. The findings: nearly 2% of the ticks tested were positive, coming from five different species.
By analyzing blood samples from rodents and livestock, they also detected the virus in several mammals, including sheep and pigs.
Tests on forest rangers revealed the presence of antibodies against the virus, indicating human exposure. Finally, screenings conducted in nearby hospitals revealed that about twenty hospitalized individuals were infected, sometimes with alarming symptoms. While fever, nausea, dizziness, back pain, and skin rashes are typical symptoms, a case of coma suggests a potential impact on the brain.
All patients have recovered, but laboratory experiments show that the virus, when injected into mice, can cause fatal infections and affect vital organs, including the nervous system. This has raised concerns among researchers.
How is the Wetland virus transmitted to humans?
The Wetland virus is primarily transmitted through tick bites, particularly from species found in the wetlands of northern China. When an infected tick bites a human, it can inject the virus, potentially causing an infection.
Studies also show that certain animal species, notably rodents, sheep, and horses, can harbor this virus. These animals act as reservoirs, allowing the virus to persist in ecosystems where ticks live, thereby increasing the risk of transmission to humans.
Research on ticks in Chinese wetlands has revealed that as many as five tick species can carry the virus. The spread of the Wetland virus remains a major concern, especially for populations at risk in these regions.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND