Concerns grow after new tick-borne virus discovered in China

A new tick-borne virus, known as Wetland Virus (WELV), has been identified in humans for the first time, raising concerns about potential neurological impacts.

According to a report published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the virus was discovered in China, where it was first reported in June 2019. The initial case involved a 61-year-old patient from Jinzhou who fell ill after being bitten by ticks in Inner Mongolia’s wetlands. Symptoms included fever, headache, and vomiting, which were resistant to antibiotics.

WELV is part of a group of tick-borne viruses that can cause severe illnesses similar to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Researchers investigated the spread of the virus by collecting nearly 14,600 ticks across northern China, finding that 2% contained WELV genetic material. The virus was also detected in various animals, including sheep, horses, pigs, and rodents.

Blood tests on forest rangers and tick-bite patients revealed that 12 out of 640 rangers had antibodies to WELV, and 20 patients tested positive for the virus. Symptoms ranged from mild to severe, with one patient entering a coma. Although patients generally recovered, lab studies on mice indicated that WELV could cause lethal infections and impact the nervous system, highlighting its potential for serious health problems.