A novel phlebovirus in Albanian sandflies

Abstract

Sandflies were collected in two districts of Albania and tested for a probable phlebovirus infection. A novel phlebovirus, provisionally named Adria virus, was detected in 2/12 pools, both trapped in a region close to the Adriatic Sea. The new virus is genetically closer (similarity 77.1% at nucleotide level) to Arbia virus, which belongs to the Salehabad serocomplex. Its distribution and probable pathogenicity to humans remain to be elucidated. © 2010 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2010 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.