Newly Discovered Wetland Virus (WELV) Raises Alarm for Neurological Health in China

A newly identified virus, known as the Wetland Virus (WELV), is causing significant concern in China due to its potential to infect humans through tick bites and lead to severe neurological conditions. First discovered in June 2019 in a 61-year-old patient from Jinzhou, who fell ill after being bitten by ticks in Inner Mongolia, WELV has since attracted global attention.

According to a report published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the initial patient exhibited symptoms including fever, headache, vomiting, and antibiotic-resistant issues. The virus is part of a group known for tick transmission, similar to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, and can cause severe illness.

Following its discovery, researchers conducted an extensive investigation, collecting nearly 14,600 ticks from northern China. They found that 2% of these ticks tested positive for WELV genetic material. The virus was also detected in various animals, including sheep, horses, pigs, and rodents known as Transbaikal zokor.

Further analysis revealed that WELV could cause cytopathic effects in human cells and lead to fatal infections in animal models. Blood samples from forest rangers in the affected area showed that 12 out of 640 individuals had antibodies against WELV.

Testing of additional patients with tick bites identified 20 cases of WELV, with symptoms ranging from fever and dizziness to nausea and diarrhea. Notably, one patient experienced a coma due to elevated white blood cell counts in the brain and spinal fluid. Although all patients eventually recovered with treatment, laboratory experiments on mice showed that the virus could be lethal and affect the nervous system.