Worst Nightmare: Tick Bite Could Lead to Brain Damage 

Worst Nightmare: Tick Bite Could Lead to Brain Damage. Credit | Adobe Stock
Worst Nightmare: Tick Bite Could Lead to Brain Damage. Credit | Adobe Stock

United States: Experts are warning against the arrival of a new kind of virus, first discovered in China and spread to humans via tick bites. 

The virus appears to have the potential to cause problems related to the brain. 

More about the virus 

The virus is termed Wetland virus (WELV), which was initially detected in a 60-year-old man who had reported being stung by ticks at a park in a large wetland in northern China. 

The patient, who is unidentified as per the news reports, experienced a fever, along with headache and episodes of vomit for the next five days after being bitten, suggested Live Science reports. 

Although the case is dated back to June 2019, the New England Journal of Medicine detailed it last week. 

The virus is scientifically called orthonairovirus and referred to as a particular set of tick-borne viruses, which made researchers in China perform a detailed study of the ticks and animals that might be carrying this virus, the New York Post reported. 

How was the study conducted? 

The samples were collected and elaborately analyzed upon almost 14,600 ticks, thereby finding WELV material in five tick species. 

Haemaphysalis concinna, which is a rodent tick species and is predominantly present in China, Russia, and Central Europe, tested positive most often. 

Furthermore, the researchers analyzed the virus in seventeen patients in China who had production symptoms within a month after a tick bite, along with examination of a few sheep, horses, pigs, and rodents, noted Live Science. 

Worst Nightmare: Tick Bite Could Lead to Brain Damage. Credit | Adobe Stock
Worst Nightmare: Tick Bite Could Lead to Brain Damage. Credit | Adobe Stock

One person who had gone into a coma after the bite had a high white blood cell count in the fluid surrounding their brain and spinal cord. 

It revealed that the virus had caused damage in tissues, along with blood clotting; however, as good news, all patients recovered and were discharged within fifteen days of treatment. 

Recommendations against the virus 

As per a NewYork-Presbyterian recommendation, people are advised to avoid visiting leafy foliage and high grass, the New York Post reported. 

Along with that, wearing a light-colored outfit would help one in keeping the tick away from the skin

They also said that, while hiking, camping, or gardening, one must check his. or her hair, underarms, wait, ears, groin area, etc, for ticks.