Genetic diversity and expanded epidemic area of novel tick-borne pathogen wetland virus in ticks, wild and domestic animals, and patient in China.

ABSTRACT: Wetland virus (WELV) is a recently identified segmented orthonairovirus associated with human febrile illness in northeastern China. To elucidate its ecological drivers and transmission patterns, we conducted multi-host surveillance in seven eco-climate regions across China through an integrated approach combining molecular and serological profiling. Over 33,000 questing and feeding ticks representing 11 species were systematically screened WELV-RNA alongside 1,493 wild small mammals, while 2,578 domestic animals and 3,921 patients presenting with outdoor field or tick exposure history underwent both WELV specific molecular and serological evaluation. WELV-RNA detection via real-time RT-PCR revealed low but widespread infection, including 0.54% (8/1,493) in wild rodents (Apodemus chevri

SUBMITTER: Yuan HX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12100960 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature