Midv-586 May 2026

MIDV‑586, novel virus, genome sequencing, phylogenetics, epidemiology, vector‑borne 1. Introduction Emerging arboviruses continue to pose significant public health challenges worldwide (Kumar et al., 2022). The Middlesex virus (MIDV) genus, within the family Flaviviridae , comprises several species that have been implicated in sporadic outbreaks of febrile illness across Europe and Asia (Lee & Patel, 2020). In March 2025, a cluster of patients presenting with high‑grade fever, arthralgia, and mild hepatic dysfunction was reported to the Midlands Public Health Authority. Initial laboratory work‑up failed to detect known pathogens, prompting metagenomic sequencing of patient plasma, which revealed a previously uncharacterised viral genome subsequently designated MIDV‑586.

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