Tick-borne Alongshan virus (ALSV) was first discovered in China in 2017. Recently, the virus has been detected in Germany for the first time. ALSV is a flavivirus that causes flu-like symptoms, including headaches and fever. There is currently no vaccine available for the virus, which spreads through ticks. In 2019, Finnish scientists detected the virus in Europe for the first time. In 2022, researchers from the University of Zurich discovered ALSV in Switzerland. At the time, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit from the University of Hamburg suggested that ticks in Germany may also be carrying the virus. However, he believed that a sudden outbreak with high infection rates and severe illness was unlikely.
A recent study by the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover has now confirmed that ALSV has reached Germany. The researchers analyzed blood samples from wild animals collected by the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety between 2017 and 2019. One sample from a red deer tested positive for ALSV, and ALSV-specific antibodies were identified in additional wild and domestic animals. Interestingly, the virus was also detected in the saliva of ticks collected from various locations. Tomas Jelinek from the Center for Travel Medicine has reported that ALSV has also been detected in France and Russia. The increasing spread of the virus is attributed to climate change, which provides ticks with favorable living conditions.
The team at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover emphasizes the need for further research to assess the potential risks that ALSV may pose to human and animal health. While a sudden outbreak is unlikely, the increasing prevalence of the virus highlights the importance of tick prevention measures. It is essential to take precautions when spending time outdoors, such as wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent. The discovery of ALSV in Germany underscores the need for continued vigilance in monitoring the spread of tick-borne diseases.
