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By Tarun Sai Lomte May 4 2023 Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM

A recent study published in the Zoonoses and Public Health Journal summarized the current knowledge on the Tahyna virus (TAHV).

Study:  Ťahyňa virus—A widespread, but neglected mosquito-borne virus in Europe. Image Credit: xpixel/Shutterstock.com Background

TAHV is a human pathogen of the California serogroup (CSG) orthobunyaviruses. It is a spherical enveloped virus around 100 nm in diameter, with three segments of negative-sense single-stranded RNA as the genome.

The genome is about 13 kb in size, and the segments are labeled as small (S), medium (M), and large (L). The S segment encodes a non-structural protein and the nucleocapsid.

The M segment encodes a polyprotein cleaved into two glycoproteins and a non-structural protein, whereas the L segment encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The bunyaviral non-structural proteins might be pathogenic factors in vertebrates. TAHV was the first pathogenic arbovirus isolated from mosquitos in Europe.

TAHV transmission occurs via endemic mosquitos, with mammals as vertebrate hosts. Research attention shifted toward the medical significance of the virus when it was isolated from sick/hospitalized children.

Valtice fever, caused by TAHV, manifests as a febrile summer illness with laryngitis, nausea, and atypical pneumonia, particularly in children.

Acute neurologic symptoms also occur but in relatively fewer cases. There are no reports of fatalities. Given the widespread distribution of TAHV in Central Europe, it should be studied from a public health perspective.

The present study’s authors discussed the available knowledge on TAHV history, geographic distribution, transmission, diagnosis, and clinical manifestations. Ecology, hosts, and vectors of TAHV

TAHV transmission in endemic regions occurs in deciduous/mixed woodland forests with trees withstanding floods. TAHV outbreaks have been mainly recorded in southern Moravia and southern/eastern Slovakia. Related StoriesStudy indicates that targeted interventions strengthening HIV antiretroviral therapy initiation are criticalWhat is the risk for symptomatic H5N1 virus infection in humans?Study suggests the zoonotic-like avian H3N8 virus has limited efficiency for human-to-human transmission and is unlikely to cause severe disease in humans

Serologic investigations report increased TAHV exposure in flooded areas and regions adjacent to rivers, where floodplain mosquitos exist. TAHV was also detected in several biotopes in Asia.

Studies indicate that European hares are the likely amplifying hosts of TAHV. Experimental studies showed that Central Europe-endemic mammalian species develop viremia and TAHV-specific antibodies. However, only hares and rabbits have been established as competent hosts. Although infection in primates caused viremia and induced antibodies, the animals lacked clinical symptoms.

One study observed a febrile period of up to four days, reduced motility, and weakness in chimpanzees infected subcutaneously. Serosurveys detected TAHV-reactive antibodies in red deer, wild boars, fallow deer, mouflons, red deer, horses, cattle, wild rodents, European brown bears, and domestic sheep.

TAHV has been isolated from several mosquito species, including Aedes vexans, A. cinereus, and A. caspius, with many studies implicating A. vexans as the primary vector. Disease and diagnosis

Valtice fever may manifest from mild febrile illness to aseptic meningoencephalitis. TAHV infection causes symptoms similar to those caused by other CSG orthobunyaviruses, such as California encephalitis and La Crosse viruses. The main symptoms include severe headage, accompanied by nausea and dizziness.

Other symptoms include atypical pneumonia, anorexia, conjunctivitis, myalgia, laryngitis, and gastrointestinal symptoms typical of encephalitic orthobunyaviruses.

Only a small proportion of infected individuals may develop pleocytosis or severe meningitis. Serosurveys in endemic regions of Czechoslovakia revealed a high seroprevalence of up to 70%.

TAHV was isolated for the first time from a human with a natural infection in 1972. Subsequently, it was isolated from hospitalized children with acute fever. TAHV seropositivity has been documented in several European countries like Hungary, Austria, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Albania, and Russia. China, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have also reported TAHV infections.

Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) detection is the basis of TAHV diagnosis, with virus neutralization tests accepted as the gold standard. TAHV infection could be diagnosed using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.

Although TAHV infections are prevalent, disease incidence is often underreported due to the lack of diagnostic tests. As such, TAHV infections remain underdiagnosed in several countries. Concluding remarks

In summary, while TAHV remains endemic to Central Europe, with a larger geographic distribution, there is limited data on fundamental ecological and virological aspects.

Mosquito surveillance should also involve screening for TAHV. Although TAHV causes a relatively mild illness, the manifestation of neurologic symptoms cannot be overlooked.

Above all, high temperatures and increased flooding events in summer could lead to TAHV transmission; therefore, control strategies and serologic surveys should be implemented in regions where TAHV or its vectors exist. Journal reference:

Mravcová, K., Camp, J.V., Hubálek, Z., Šikutová, S., Vaux, A.G.C., Medlock, J.M. & Rudolf, I. (2023) Ťahyňa virus—A widespread, but neglected mosquito‐borne virus in Europe. Zoonoses and Public Health. doi: 10.1111/zph.13042 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/zph.13042

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Science

A Planet with a Death Wish: How HIP 67522 b Is Forcing Its Star to Explode

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A Planet with a Death Wish: How HIP 67522 b Is Forcing Its Star to Explode

Scientists have caught a planet with a death wish, which is an alien world, orbiting very near to its star, and so speedy that it is causing the star to go to its death with bursting explosions. HIP 67522 b is the planet, and it is of the same size as Jupiter with a seven-day orbit around its host star. These orbits are disturbing the magnetic field of the star and causing enormous blasting eruptions to blow back the planet and make it wrinkled. This is the first time that a planet is influencing the host star, as the astronomers reported in a study published on July 2, 2025, in the Journal Nature.

A Planet with a Death Wish: HIP 67522 b’s Fiery Orbit

As per the study by NASA, Ekaterina Ilin, the first author of the study and an astrophysicist at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, said that the planet was observed to trigger the energetic flares. It has been predicted by the scientists that the waves are setting off explosions that are going to happen.

Magnetic Chaos: Planet Triggering Star’s Explosions

Stars are burning plasma, gigantic balls with charged particles or ions that move on their surface to form strong magnetic fields. Since the magnetic fields cannot cross each other, sometimes these field knots suddenly snap to launch flares of radiation known as solar flares, which are often accompanied by coronal mass ejections, also known as surface plasma.

As many planets have a magnetic field, scientists have long wondered whether the planets, having close orbits near their stars, might disturb these strong magnetic fields and trigger the explosions. For years, scientists have observed whether the planets can influence the magnetic behaviour of their host stars, especially the ones that are close to their orbits.

A New Era of Star-Planet Relationship Studies

A planet with a strong magnetic field orbits around a star which has a delicate magnetic field, then it might be bombarded with solar radiation. These interactions helps int he study of star and planet bond and further the evolution of atmospher and magnetic field.

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Vladimir Putin tells Donald Trump he will not back down from goals in Ukraine, Kremlin says

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Vladimir Putin tells Donald Trump he will not back down from goals in Ukraine, Kremlin says

Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump he “will not back down” from Russia’s goals in Ukraine during a phone call today, the Kremlin has said.

The Russian president spoke to his US counterpart for almost an hour, and Mr Trump “again raised the issue of an early end to military action” in Ukraine, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

In response, Mr Putin said “Russia will not back down” from its aims there, which include “the elimination of the well-known root causes that led to the current state of affairs,” Mr Ushakov said.

The phrase “root causes” is shorthand for Moscow’s argument that it was compelled to invade Ukraine in order to prevent the country from joining NATO.

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Trump and Putin’s latest call on Ukraine

Ukraine and its European allies say this is a pretext to justify what they call an imperial-style war, but Mr Trump has previously shown sympathy with Russia.

At the same time, Mr Putin told the US president that Russia is ready to continue negotiating, the aide said.

The Russian president said any prospective peace deal must see Ukraine give up its NATO bid and recognise his country’s territorial gains.

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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. Pic: Reuters
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, seen with Mr Trump in June, is pushing for Ukraine to join NATO. Pic: Reuters

He also briefed Mr Trump on agreements made last month, which saw Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war and dead soldiers.

Specific dates for the third round of peace talks in Istanbul were not discussed – nor was the US decision to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine.

Mr Putin and Mr Trump’s call came after the Pentagon confirmed some weapons due to be sent to Ukraine have been held as it reviews military stockpiles.

The paused shipments include air defence missiles and precision-guided artillery, two people familiar with the situation have said.

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The decision led to Ukraine calling in the acting US envoy to Kyiv on Wednesday to underline the importance of military aid from Washington.

Kyiv also cautioned that the move would weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against intensifying Russian airstrikes and battlefield advances.

Mr Putin and Mr Trump’s phone call was the sixth they have publicly disclosed since the US president returned to the White House in January.

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UK

Diogo Jota’s joyous final weeks make his death even more devastating to comprehend

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Diogo Jota's joyous final weeks make his death even more devastating to comprehend

The joy that filled the final weeks of Diogo Jota’s life makes his death even more devastating to comprehend for his family and millions of fans worldwide.

The most illustrious title of his career was won in May, when he paraded through Liverpool with his teammates and the Premier League trophy.

More success came with Portugal as he won the Nations League for a second time alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in June.

And then came the bliss at marrying his childhood love Rute Cardoso, watched by their three children.

Latest: Liverpool players pay tribute to Jota

Just yesterday Jota posted a video from the ceremony on social media alongside the message “a day we will never forget”.

The happiest of days was remembered before the tragedy that killed Jota and his brother Andre Felipe in northwest Spain.

Diogo Jota and wife Rute
Pic: rutecfcardoso14/Instagram
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Diogo Jota and wife Rute. Pic: rutecfcardoso14/Instagram

Brothers – whose careers both developed at their hometown club, Porto – so tragically dying together.

“Football has lost two great men,” Porto president Andre Villas-Boas said, as fans descended on the club’s stadium to mourn.

At Anfield, Liverpool fans are grieving the versatile forward who was so often in the shadow of Mohamed Salah, as he was under Ronaldo at Portugal.

But he knew how to sacrifice stardom to contribute to the squad.

Liverpool's Diogo Jota holds the  Premier League trophy with Wataru Endo and teammates.
PIc: Reuters
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Diogo Jota holds the Premier League trophy with Wataru Endo and teammates. PIc: Reuters

The last of his 65 Liverpool goals was the winner in the Merseyside derby against neighbours Everton in April – helping the club become the record 20-time champions of England.

A Premier League winners’ medal joining those from the FA Cup and League Cup, won by the 28-year-old after he joined the Reds in 2020.

It was Wolverhampton Wanderers who gave Jota a platform to shine in England after he joined from Atletico Madrid.

Promotion was gained to the Premier League in 2018, and they more than just avoided relegation, but secured back-to-back top-seven finishes.

Jota was a reason why.

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Fans react to Jota death

He was also why Wolves could embark on such a memorable European campaign, and scored two hat-tricks in the run-up to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2020.

“The memories he created will never be forgotten,” Wolves said.

For the football world, the loss of such a talent so young will be hard to comprehend.

And so many are reflecting on the fragility of life as football grieves from Liverpool to Portugal – and beyond.

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