New virus is rapidly spreading in China and it causes a disease called Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS).
The disease is transferred to humans through tick bites, Chinese virologists have warned that human-to-human transmission of the virus cannot be ruled out.
The current case fatality rate rests between approximately 16 and 30 per cent.
Due to the rate at which it spreads and its high fatality rate, SFTS has been listed among the top 10 priority diseases blue print by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) belongs to the Bunya virus family and is transmitted to humans through tick bites.
Asian tick called Haemaphysalis longicornis is the primary vector, or carrier, of the virus.
Scientists have found that the virus is often transmitted to humans from animals like goats, cattle, deer and sheep.
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