The viral agent implicated in the deaths of ten people is a new species of Arterivirus. Arterivirus potestas sp. nov. was found in the tissues of all ten patients, as well as samples of Amblyomma maculatum collected from the Orlando area. This novel viral agent was also observed in squirrels collected from Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. Each patient presented with a viral polyarthritis, lower back pain, fever, rash and tenosynovitis. Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in warm, wooded areas of the southeast are at risk of contracting the virus, especially if they have a compromised immune system. Patients infected by the virus experienced onset of symptoms 5-15 days after exposure. No patients are known to have survived the infection at this time.
Arterivirus potestas sp. nov.
Genome Size: 17.7 kb
Linear single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus
Replication occurs in the host cell cytoplasm
Has been found in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas
Arterivirus potestas sp. nov.
Genome Size: 17.7 kb
Linear single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus
Replication occurs in the host cell cytoplasm
Has been found in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas