Forty-two agents belong to the Tete group of viruses, closely related 
to Matruh (An 1047-61) isolated from a lesser Whitethroat Warbler, Sylvia 
curruca , in Egypt by Dr. Jack Schmidt at NAMRU-3 in 1961 and more distantly 
related to Tete (An 3518) isolated from a Spotted-backed Weaver, Ploceus 
spilonotus > in South Africa in 1959. 
Over half of the Tete group isolates have come from the warbler genus 
Sylvia . All but two, those from the Swallow, Hirundo rustica , and the Song 
Thrush, Turdus philomelos , were recovered from fall migrants. This virus 
complex has been prevalent each fall since 1966. The infection rate was 
remarkably high in some species. For instance, of 54 Common VJhitethroat 
Warblers, Sylvia communis , captured in 1968, five (9.3%) were viremic with 
this complex. 
Strain Eg B 90, Bahig, from a Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus , was selected 
for further characterization. Complete details are given in Table 23 as the 
data were submitted for registration in the Catalogue of Arthropod-borne Viruses. 
The virus passed a 0.22 micron filter but not a 0.1 micron filter. It was 
inactivated 5.4 log LD^q by sodium deoxycholate. A sucrose acetone extracted, 
sonicated brain antigen hemagglutinated goose red blood cells at pH 5.9. 
Bahig virus killed baby mice inoculated i.c. and titered 5.4 log LD^q . It 
had a similar titer in VERO cell culture in which it produced pathogenic granu¬ 
lation and rounding-up of cells. 
Bahig virus was closely related by CF test to Matruh virus and more dis¬ 
tantly to Tete virus. By HI test it was easily distinguished from Matruh.Bahig 
immune ascitic fluid did not react in CF test with 117 arbovirus antigens, or 
herpes, LCM, rabies, vaccinia, and Newcastle disease virus. HI tests showed 
cross-reaction of Bahig virus with immune ascitic fluids of Simbu, Ingwavuma, 
Manzanilla, Mermet, Buttonwillow, Bwaraba, California, and Bunyamwera viruses at 
69 
