The new pathogen is already widespread in Switzerland
The Alongshan virus, originally discovered in China, is more common in local bloodsuckers than the related TBE virus.
Ticks can transmit various pathogens. Here arachnids in different stages.
Photo: GOOD
Researchers from the University of Zurich have detected a new virus in Swiss ticks. This was discovered in China in 2017. It appears to be widespread and leads to symptoms similar to those of the well-known tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). A diagnostic test is now being developed.
Ticks can transmit many different pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or parasites. The University of Zurich announced on Wednesday that the list of pathogens was constantly increasing. In addition to the TBE virus, which can cause inflammation of the brain and meninges, bacteria that can cause Lyme disease are particularly well known.
The so-called Alongshan virus (ALSV) has now been detected in ticks in Switzerland for the first time. This belongs to the same family as the TBE virus. It was discovered in China when several patients suffered from fever and headaches after being bitten by a tick.
These are the typical symptoms of a TBE infection, but antibodies against this well-known virus could not be detected in any of those affected. Instead, the researchers found a previously unknown RNA virus: the Alongshan virus.
So far there is neither a test nor a vaccination against the ALS virus
Researchers from the Institute of Virology at the University of Zurich examined tick samples collected in several regions of Switzerland in 2021 and 2022. “We were amazed that we were able to detect ALS viruses in the tick samples much more frequently than TBE viruses,” Cornel Fraefel, Director of the Institute of Virology, is quoted as saying in the statement.
Although the new virus was previously undetected, it could already be relevant to public health in Switzerland. However, there is currently neither a vaccination nor a detection method for this, as is the case with the TBE virus.
Therefore, the Zurich researchers are now developing a serological test that can be used to detect ALS virus infections in the blood of patients. In the coming year, they also want to investigate the epidemiological situation of ALS viruses in Switzerland together with the National Reference Laboratory for Tick-borne Diseases and the Spiez Laboratory.
SDA
Found a mistake?Report now.