Unknown ‘jungle’ virus ‘like malaria and dengue’ detected in sick man’s blood

An unknown "jungle" virus has been found in a sick man's blood and likened to killer diseases malaria and dengue.

The unidentified patient headed to hospital with joint pain, chills and a fever and was soon diagnosed with a never-before-seen virus. The 20-year-old construction worker's ailments were compared to that of viral infections spread by mosquitos.

Scientists have warned the virus is still circulating in the jungles of Peru and advised health chiefs across the globe to monitor the growing worries.

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The phlebovirus, usually spread by mosquitos, ticks and sand-flies triggers a high fever, muscle pain, severe headaches and in some cases meningitis also.

Only three phlebovirus cases which cause a fever have been identified in Peru, with the scare at Hospital De La Merced Chanchamayo in June 2019 seeing a loss of appetite and sensitivity to light among the symptoms.

A US Naval Medical Research Unit analysed blood samples taken by medics at the time and linked it to the Candiru phlebovirus. But segments of the virus proved completely new and never seen before by scientists.

One major difference was the Candiru virus could "not be explained by virus mutation", which indicated the 20-year-old had been suffering from a completely new virus, the Daily Mail reported.

The fate of the infected individual is not currently known though the UK Health Security Agency said the discovery meant it was "necessary to detect novel and emerging pathogens". The HSA believe fever-causing illnesses in patients should be monitored.

The Emerging Infectious Diseases journal has since called for ecological studies into the potential widespread effect said virus would have on the population.

Ongoing surveillance was also flagged by the EID journal, which outlined the need for patients with similar symptoms to be monitored to detect new viruses and protect public health.

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