Alongshan-virus – short and to the point

When was the Alongshan-virus first discovered? The Alongshan-virus (or ALS-virus, abbreviated ALSV) was first described in the city of Alongshan in Northern China in 2017. It has also been detected in Germany and was identified in 2017–2019. Veterinarians have already detected it in ticks , and in wild and farm animals at several locations in Lower Saxony . Antibodies were then found in wild animals and pets at various locations across Lower Saxony. The virus has since been detected in Switzerland in 2021 and 2022. There is now confirmed evidence in Russia, Finland and France. This makes it very likely that the virus is widely spread throughout Europe. Due to the warmer climate, ticks are spreading to ever more northerly latitudes and to higher altitude areas.

What other virus diseases are transmitted by ticks? In Germany, Lyme disease and TBE are the most common diseases. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, and there is a vaccination against TBE. Infection with TBE is life-threatening without a vaccination. In Bavaria alone, there are around 100 cases of tick-borne encephalitis every year, and those affected are at risk of disability , meningitis, or even death.

How was the Alongshan-virus discovered? Researchers analyzed wildlife (wild boar, roe deer and stags) in the regions of Hanover, Wolfsburg, and the Harz Mountains in Lower Saxony. They took swabs of saliva , blood samples, and collected ticks. The results of the tests indicate that the virus is regularly transmitted back and forth between ticks and host animals and is now widespread, at least in Lower Saxony.

What is known about the virus? The Alongshan-virus belongs to the flavivirus family, which also includes TBE virus, dengue virus, Zika virus and many more. ALSV contains single-stranded RNA which is segmented into four RNA molecules.

The symptoms usually appear to be similar to those of a cold or the beginning of an TBE infection: headache, fever, fatigue , muscle-aches and joint pain . Severe courses of the disease that require clinical treatment are not yet known.

How is the virus transmitted? Taken together, all results indicate that the disease is transmitted by ticks, but mosquitoes cannot be ruled out as vectors. A host is a living organism that serves as a temporary or permanent habitat for a usually much smaller organism such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. The exact host spectrum of the ALS-virus is still unclear. So far, humans, red deer , roe deer , sheep, goats , and horses have been identified as hosts. Typical disease vectors in Europe are the tick species Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus, as well as Dermacentor reticulatus in China and Russia.

Which treatment is available? In contrast to the TBE virus, there is no specific treatment available for ALSV infections, just as there is no vaccination. It is therefore most effective to protect yourself from the ticks themselves. If treatment is given, then at best the symptoms of the disease are reduced.

How can I protect myself from ticks? It is generally advisable to wear long, light-colored clothing on which ticks can be easily spotted. The use of mosquito sprays can also be useful. You should also search your body carefully each time you come back from being outdoors, because ticks often move around for several hours before becoming attached. Ticks like warm environments, which is why they are often found in armpits , around the genital and groin area, or behind the ears. Incidentally, ticks also survive washing at 60 °C. And even if they have already bitten, the quicker they are removed, the lower the likelihood of infection.

Are there complications with ALSV? Serious illnesses (i.e. exceeding flu -like symptoms) have not yet been linked to an ALSV infection.

EXERCISE: 1. Ticks survive washing at 60 °C. A) True B) False

2. Symptoms of the Alongshan-virus infection are: A) headache B) fatigue C) muscle aches D) fever E) running nose

3. Ticks don’t like warm environments. A) True B) False

You'll find the answer below.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. www.dict.cc 2. www.forschung-und-wissen.de 3. www.nejm.org 4. www.news-medical.net 5. www.news.uzh.ch 6. www.sciencedirect.com 7. www.webster-dictionary.org

CARMEN LOBITZ Carmen Lobitz ist freie Trainerin, Lehrerin und MTL. Sie gründete 1998 in Berlin lobitz seminare, die unter anderem Englischseminare für Health Professionals anbieten. Kontakt: mail@lobitz-seminare.de www.lobitz-seminare.de

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Lösung für Exercise:

A) A-D B)

Alongshan-virus – short and to the point

When was the Alongshan-virus first discovered?

What other virus diseases…

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Alongshan-virus – short and to the point

When was the Alongshan-virus first discovered?

What other virus diseases…

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