Newly Found Tick-Borne Disease “Turns Off” Your Brain! Could It Come to Iowa or Illinois?

A new virus carried by ticks, called the Wetland virus (WELV), has been discovered in China, and scientists are worried about its potential to cause severe brain infections in humans. The virus was first identified in a 61-year-old man who developed fever, headache, and vomiting just days after being bitten by ticks during a visit to a wetland park in northern China’s Inner Mongolia region. Despite being treated with antibiotics, his symptoms persisted, which clued doctors in that they weren’t dealing with a bacterial infection.

Instead, blood tests revealed something new: a previously unknown virus from the orthonairovirus family — the same group of viruses that includes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly disease spread by ticks. WELV, while not as well-known, has been shown to cause neurological symptoms like dizziness, back pain, and in extreme cases, comas.

In the original patient, doctors managed to treat the virus, and he recovered, along with other patients who had tested positive for the virus in China. But the discovery is sparking interest globally, especially given the growing number of tick-borne diseases that have made their way to the U.S. over the years.

What’s the Risk for Iowa and Illinois?

While the Wetland virus hasn’t been detected in the U.S., the fact that it’s spread by ticks raises concerns about its potential to move to other parts of the world, including the Midwest. Ticks are notorious travelers, hitching rides on migrating animals like birds and even on humans.

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This is particularly worrying for states like Iowa and Illinois, where ticks are already known to spread diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. As ticks expand their range, there’s always the chance that a new virus could hitch a ride and begin infecting local animals or people.

In China, researchers found that ticks from the Haemaphysalis concinna species most often carried the virus. This tick is not currently known to reside in the United States. They also discovered WELV antibodies in forest rangers and other wildlife in the area, including sheep, horses, and pigs. This suggests that the virus is circulating among animals, humans, and ticks in northern China — a pattern similar to how tick-borne illnesses spread elsewhere.

Could This Happen Here?

While there’s no immediate threat of the Wetland virus coming to Iowa or Illinois, the spread of new diseases through ticks is something that health experts keep a close eye on. Over the past few decades, tick populations have spread due to warmer weather and changing ecosystems. And, as travel increases, so does the risk of new diseases being introduced to new regions. Recently the invasive Asian Longhorned Tick has made its debut in Illinois, so possible disease vectors are already present as a mechanism to spread through. Additionally with large farm animal populations here, if a virus like this did take hold, it would be difficult to contain the spread.

For now, the best defense is to be proactive when spending time outdoors. If you're in areas where ticks thrive — like woods, grassy fields, or wetlands — wear protective clothing, use tick repellents, and thoroughly check for ticks after outdoor activities.

As for WELV, scientists are calling for better surveillance of tick-borne viruses to prevent future outbreaks. Whether this new virus reaches the U.S. or not, it’s a reminder to stay vigilant about our local pests that may carry more than just an itchy bite. Stay informed, stay safe, and remember: ticks may be tiny, but their bite can leave a lasting impact.