There are three new viruses in town.  They are called bufavirus, cutavirus, and tusavirus.  They belong to the parvovirus family.  They were first spotted in human poop.  Since then, they have been linked to various health issues.  Bufavirus has been connected to stomach problems and a type of skin cancer.  Cutavirus has been found to jump from animals to humans.  Tusavirus has not been seen in any humans yet.

A recent study set out to find and describe these viruses in people.  They created new tests to spot these viruses in the blood.  They also looked at how common these viruses are in different groups of people.  The study checked blood samples from over 1400 people.  These people were from six different countries.  They varied in age and health status.  Some were sick with things like fever, stomach problems, or breathing issues.  Others were healthy.

The study found that bufavirus is more common in some places than others.  It is very common in adults from Iran.  It is less common in elderly people from Finland and adults from Italy.  Interestingly, children in Iran have a higher chance of having bufavirus than children in Italy.  Cutavirus was surprisingly common in adults with long-term illnesses and elderly people.  Tusavirus was not found in any of the groups.  The study also found some signs of recent infection, but none were confirmed as true infections.  This suggests that these viruses might cause mild, local, or rare infections.  They might not be common in respiratory or stomach issues.

The study provides a good look at these new viruses.  It shows where they are common and who might be at risk.  However, it also raises more questions.  Are these viruses really causing diseases?  If so, which ones?  How do they spread?  More research is needed to answer these questions.  Until then, it is important to stay informed and take care of your health.  Wash your hands, cook your food properly, and see a doctor if you feel sick.  These simple steps can help protect you from many viruses, including these new ones.

Three Viruses: The New Kids on the Block

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