Never-before-seen virus Erupts in Peru

A novel virus has surfaced, causing illness in a 20-year-old man from Peru. The unidentified patient sought medical attention after experiencing symptoms resembling those of malaria and dengue, including fever, chills, muscle and joint pain.

While the outcome of the man’s illness remains unclear, scientists who identified the pathogen from a blood sample have raised concerns about its potential circulation in the central jungle regions of Peru. The virus belongs to the phlebovirus family and can be transmitted by sandflies, mosquitoes, or ticks.

Typically, infections caused by phleboviruses manifest as high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, and in some cases, meningitis. Rift Valley fever is a well-known illness triggered by phlebovirus, with severe cases leading to life-threatening hemorrhagic fever.

Prior to this discovery, only three phleboviruses associated with fever had been identified in Peru. The patient’s case, documented in June 2019 at Hospital De La Merced Chanchamayo, revealed symptoms consistent with a fever-causing illness. Laboratory analysis conducted by researchers at the US Naval Medical Research Unit in Lima identified the Candiru phlebovirus, albeit with distinct segments suggesting a novel strain.

According to the research team, led by Gilda Troncos, the virus likely resulted from a recombination event between the Candiru virus and a novel strain of the Echarate virus. The illness caused by this new variant shares similarities with dengue, malaria, and other tropical infections.

Given the potential public health implications, ongoing surveillance is crucial to detect emerging pathogens among patients exhibiting fever-related symptoms. The researchers emphasize the need for ecological studies to assess the prevalence of the new variant within the region and identify potential sources of infection.

Responding to this development, health authorities in the UK have echoed calls for monitoring patients with fever-causing illnesses to detect novel and emerging pathogens, underscoring the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding public health.

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