Human infections with a dangerous mosquito-borne disease called Cache Valley virus (CVV) may be more common in the United States and Mexico than previously thought. The disease, discovered decades ago, mainly has been seen as a threat to livestock, with only seven cases ever documented in humans—all in the United States, two fatal and two causing severe neurologic problems—according to a presentation at the 2023 annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, held in Chicago (poster 5255).
CVV is a mosquito-borne virus in the genus Orthobunyavirus, family Peribunyaviridae that has been identified as a teratogen in ruminants causing fetal death and severe malformations.
CDC scientists have developed a new test for detecting immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, which are present during infection with the virus and shortly thereafter, using capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It offers a simpler alternative to other diagnostic methods, which require working with the live virus in biosafety level 2 biocontainment and do not indicate timing of the infection, they said.
Fair Use Notice
UNMC Global Center for Health Security staff curate publicly available news and information for educational and informational purposes. Brief excerpts of published articles may be displayed under principles of Fair Use, with credit and links provided to the source publications. All copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.