Report of a household clustering of novel bunyavirus infection

Objective To explore the transmission route and vector of a household clustering of novel bunyavirus infection. Methods Epidemiological survey was conducted. Results Among the 4 family members, 2 had fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea. The first case had been bitten by ticks before the onset, and another case had WBC and PLT progressive reduction. The real-time fluorescent RT-PCR test and acute phase IgM serum test results of the 2 cases were positive. The RNA of new bunyavirus was detected in ticks collected with white cloth from external environment, but not by PCR test in lung, liver and spleen of live rats captured by cage-trap method. Conclusion No blood borne transmission of the disease was found in the family. Further research is needed to explore the transmission route and vector of the disease.