A virus called Usutu virus has shown up in viral news recently. It's normally considered to be a songbird virus (i.e. it infects and replicates and lives in viruses, if you can say viruses live), but it can infect humans via the bite of infected mosquitoes. Recently, it has been active in Austria; a Viennese research team found the virus in sixteen songbirds and the blood of seven separate blood donors, indicating human infection is more common than originally thought.
While this virus is actually an African-borne Flavivirus, it's first discovery occurred in Austria in 2001 when it caused a large bird die-off. In the past, it's been observed to infect humans, but it's generally asymptomatic (possibly with minor fever and rash). However, in some individuals (especially immunocompromised folks), it causes severe courses with neurological presentations. No fear, however, because it's not considered a communicable disease (so maybe humans are dead-end hosts).
Of the seven donors, none had clinical symptoms. The viruses collected from these individuals have been studied by Austrian and Hungarian scientists, and these strains are noticeably different from the 2001-2005 viral samples. So, this viral species might be one to watch out for in the future if you're traveling to Austria/Hungary!
I'll see Usutu-you later! ;)
-Javarcia Ivory
Reference:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171013103319.htm
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