Researchers discovered a new virus that has the capability to be transmitted by blood transfusions and other blood-based products, according to NBC News.
Here are five facts:
1. The virus, human hepegivirus-1, slightly resembles hepatitis C virus as well as human pegivirus, which seems to be harmless.
2. The virus is the first transfusion-associated virus detected in awhile, but researchers do not think there is cause for concern. Researchers say, "This is not SARS. This is not MERS. This is not HIV."
3. Researchers sampled blood from 46 volunteers from 1974 to 1980 at the National Institutes of Health. The virus was found in two samples and both patients seemed to be "cleared" of the virus.
4. After looking at the initial blood samples, researchers examined samples from 106 people in another study and discovered two more patients with the virus. Both of these patients were cleared of the virus as well.
5. The studies give researchers more insight into the origin and pathogenicity of hepatitis A virus.
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