[Isolation of Tamdy virus (Bunyaviridae) pathogenic for man from natural sources in Central Asia, Kazakhstan and Transcaucasia].

Isolation of 47 strains of Tamdy virus (Bunyaviridae) in the Uzbek SSR, Turkmen SSR, Armenian SSR, Kazakh SSR, and Kirghiz SSR was analysed. Thirty-two strains were isolated from Hyalomma asiaticum ticks in which transovarial transmission of the virus was demonstrated. Three subspecies of H. asiaticum are associated with semi-desert and desert landscapes of the Asian continent. The association of Tamdy virus with hosts of various stages of metamorphosis of the ticks, in particular, with cattle and great gerbils is discussed.