A “unprecedented” virus infects a young man in Peru
Media reports revealed an unprecedented virus that has infected a young man with an illness, amid scientists’ warnings that it likely spreads in the central forest of Peru.
According to a report published by the British website “Daily Mail,” a 20-year-old man working as a construction worker in Peru went to the hospital due to symptoms including fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, headache, fatigue, light sensitivity, and loss of appetite.
It is unclear whether the patient, whose identity has not been disclosed, has recovered from the illness described as similar to malaria and dengue fever.
According to the report, scientists discovered the novel virus after taking a blood sample from him, stating that it is a phlebovirus that can spread through sandflies, mosquitoes, or ticks. They warned that it spreads in the central forest of Peru.
Scientists at the US Navy Medical Research Unit in Lima analyzed the sample and found the “Candiru phlebovirus.” However, parts of the virus showed differences from “Candiru,” indicating that the man was infected with a new virus.
The analysis indicated that the novel phlebovirus was formed through the restructuring of the “Candiru virus” with a new strain of the Echarate virus.
The team, led by research technician Gilda Troncos, stated that their findings suggest a new type of Echarate virus is spreading in the central forest of Peru.
Scientists called on health authorities in Peru to monitor viruses that cause symptoms similar to malaria so that they can detect emerging infections and protect public health.
The infection leads to a rise in temperature, severe headache, muscle pain, and meningitis. So far, only three phleboviruses causing fever have been discovered in Peru.
Rift Valley fever is the most famous disease that can be caused by a phlebovirus. Patients may suffer from life-threatening hemorrhagic fever, causing bleeding from the mouth, eyes, ears, and internal organs.
