A new virus from China, transmitted by ticks, the researchers believe is not fatal to humans. However, in combination with others – flu or coronavirus, it can be fatal.
Vladislav Mitrokhin, Associate Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Novosibirsk State Medical University, spoke about the dangers of the new Chinese virus – SFTS. This was reported by the Izvestia newspaper.
According to the scientist, the new virus will be local and will not spread to the whole world.
“So far, there is too little data, it is not known exactly what the virus paths of infection. I think we will receive more information within a week, ”he said.
At present, Russian researchers have too little information about the new virus to make any prediction. Nevertheless, the main symptoms of the disease are known: fever, cough and changes in the blood – a decrease in white blood cells and platelets.
For the first time, outbreaks of the new SFTS virus were reported in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in China on August 8. About 60 people fell ill, seven died. The main source of the spread of the virus is ticks. However, there is a possibility of transmission of the disease from person to person.
At the same time, according to Vladislav Mitrokhin, the most dangerous is the combination of a new virus with influenza and coronavirus, if they become infected at the same time.