Experts struggle to identify unknown virus spreading in Pakistan

A virus similar to dengue fever is popping up in Pakistan, but experts aren’t sure of what it is.

Dengue fever reduces blood platelets and white blood cells. Patients are being tested for both dengue and malaria but the tests are coming back negative.

Various hospitals are saying they have patients with similar symptoms and negative tests, but the treatment for dengue fever works for the mysterious illness.

On Friday there were 45 newly reported cases of dengue fever in Islamabad, Pakistan.

There have been 4,292 mosquito-borne viral disease cases so far this season.

Dengue is passed on through mosquito bites and can be common where the climate is warm, tropical, and wet.

Related: Mosquitos have blood preferences

Staff Report

FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].