Researchers in China identified a previously unknown tick-borne virus, called Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV), in people with a history of tick exposure. People infected with ALTNV experienced primarily flu-like illness, with fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms among the most common symptoms. Some also had low platelet counts. Researchers detected the virus in ticks across 15 Chinese provinces, most often in Asian longhorned ticks.
U.S. news coverage prompted confusion about whether the virus is already circulating in the U.S. The Asian longhorned tick is established in parts of the U.S., but ALTNV has not been reported in the country. Some commenters connected the news to concerns about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses or shared advice for preventing and treating tick bites. Others promoted unsupported treatments like ivermectin, falsely claimed that the virus was created in a laboratory, and suggested infected ticks were deliberately released in the U.S.
Recommendation
Health communicators may clarify the distinction between the Asian longhorned tick and ALTNV, emphasizing that the tick is present in parts of the U.S. but the newly identified virus has not been reported in the country. Messaging may also reinforce practical ways to prevent tick bites and encourage people who develop symptoms after a tick bite to contact a healthcare professional. Communicators generally do not need to respond directly to conspiracy theories about the virus unless those claims become more prominent or begin creating confusion among their audiences.
Reading links: BU Today
Communication resources: Read more on communicating about lyme disease
