#keystone virus

[intrepidnewsletter]

Keystone virus makes first jump from mosquitoes to humans with confirmed case in Florida teen, study says

The Keystone virus might be more common in humans than doctors originally thought, according to research from the University of Florida.

[npr]

Keystone Virus Makes Jump From Mosquitoes To Human For First Time

The first known human case of the virus was identified in a Florida teen after a year of tests. Known symptoms include fever and a severe rash, but it's unclear if it causes brain inflammation.

[baja-news]

Another disease to blame on mosquito's, in addition to Zika, dengue, chikungunya? The list of viruses infecting humans through pesky mosquito bites continues to increase: Keystone virus has joined the ranks. The Keystone virus belongs to a family of viruses known as the Bunyaviridae group. These viruses have been associated with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can be fatal.

A 16-year-old boy, the first confirmed case of the Keystone virus in humans, is leading researchers to believe the virus could be widespread in North Florida.

Our research did not reveal any other locations/reports so far but as with the other viruses - Zika, dengue, Chikungunya - it might be spreading in the future and we had plenty of dengue and Chikungunya after heavy rains and hurricanes. Enough to spray large parts of La Paz with crop-duster airplanes.

“Although the virus has never previously been found in humans, the infection may actually be fairly common in North Florida,” J. Glenn Morris, research author and director of the university's Emerging Pathogens Institute, said in a statement. Morris suggests doctors might not have known to look for the virus in patients, which is why more cases might not have been identified.

If you do your preventive homework on the other known viruses you do cover the keystone virus as well: Fight the bite! Especially in summer, to prevent mosquito bites use insect repellent, stay in air-conditioned areas, wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothes when outside, and use insect screens in windows, dormers, and vents.

There is also a DIY instruction with video on the La-Paz-BCS.com website on how to build a budget mosquito trap.