Latest news with #Langya
Medscape
06-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
New Henipavirus Detected in Alabama
The discovery of the Camp Hill virus marks the first detection of a henipavirus in Alabama in North America. This event highlights henipaviruses, a group of highly dangerous pathogens known to cause severe, often fatal infections characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, and cerebral edema. Thanks to advancements in genetic analysis, nearly 20 types of henipaviruses have been identified, with their presence noted on every continent except Antarctica. Viral Outbreaks The Hendra virus, identified in Australia in 1994, is the first henipavirus. This has resulted in seven known human infections, four of which were fatal. The Nipah virus, discovered in Malaysia in 1998, has proven even more lethal, causing 30 outbreaks in Southeast Asia, with over 600 infections and mortality rates reaching up to 100% in some cases. In China, the Mojiang virus has been linked to the deaths of three mineworkers. Another virus, Langya, spread by shrews, caused an outbreak in which 35 individuals were infected, all of whom recovered from the infection. Transmission Risks Identified in tissue samples from short-tailed shrews in 2021, the Camp Hill virus is likely transmitted by bats through saliva or urine, with horses also being considered as potential carriers. Henipaviruses are highly adaptable and can infect a wide range of hosts, including bats, horses, monkeys, dogs, and rodents. While viruses such as measles only infect humans, henipaviruses exhibit greater flexibility, which poses a significant risk for transmission to humans. To date, there have been no confirmed human cases of Camp Hill virus, but its potential spread remains a critical concern for epidemiologic surveillance. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines for henipaviruses. However, intensive research is underway for a vaccine against the Nipah virus, and new treatments, including monoclonal antibodies, are under development. Conclusion The global spread of henipaviruses and the emergence of new variants underscore the ongoing need for vigilant monitoring of zoonotic pathogens. Although only a few of these viruses have caused human infections to date, the risk for transmission remains. The World Health Organization has called for enhanced research and preventive strategies to identify and mitigate potential outbreaks.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Never-seen-before virus that's 'threat to all mankind' could have horrific symptoms
Some health experts have expressed fears over a potential new global pandemic after a disturbing discovery. This was after the newly named never-seen-before 'Camp Hill virus' was found in shrews in Alabama - and it belongs to a vicious family of pathogens including the Nipah and Hendra viruses. These viruses, which have potentially fatal symptoms, have a high mortality rate and can kill 70% of people they infect. Shrews are tiny mole-like animals and the new virus was found in them by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia. Dr. David Dyjack, a public health expert at the National Environmental Health Association, said: 'A virus like this could be threatening to all mankind.' READ MORE: Adorable puppy watches as siblings secure new homes – but no one wants him READ MORE: 'Doctors kept saying my daughter was fine, then she died aged 14' He added to Mail Online: 'What concerns us in public health is we have this virus with [we believe] a very high mortality rate, and if it were to mutate and transmit to a human, and attack the kidneys, as we've seen in some animals, that could be particularly threatening to all of mankind.' No human has yet to be infected but pathogens in the same family have horrific consequences including to spinal cord and brain inflammation, brain swelling, respiratory distress, kidney damage, and liver damage. Giving a stark warning of just how worried he is, Dr Dyjack: 'I would say that there are three things that keep me up at night: One is a nuclear war. The second is the implications of a changing climate, and the third is a global pandemic. The Camp Hill virus sits squarely in the bullseye of the pandemic concern.' But Dr. Donald Burke, an epidemiologist who predicted Covid-19, was much calmer and said Camp Hill would not cause an epidemic. And a virologist at Boston University, Dr Adam Hume, also added reassurance, saying: 'At this point we don't know enough about it. Maybe someday in the future, we would be able to sort of determine [transmissibility and virulence].' Despite this, there has been a blueprint of viruses found in shrews jumping to humans. This includes the Langya, which like Camp Hill, is part of the henipavirus family. The symptoms were mild including coughing, fatigue and fever but other viruses like Nipah and Hendra resulted in high mortality rates and severe respiratory problems. Those symptoms are more dangerous and as stated previously can include inflammation, respiratory failure and pneumonia and can happen up to three weeks after exposure. One man who helped discover Camp Hill, Dr. Rhys Parry, said it was mostly found in the kidneys of shrews and could theoretically be transmitted through bodily fluids. He added: 'The closest known henipavirus to Camp Hill virus that has caused disease in humans is Langya virus, which crossed from shrews to humans in indicates that shrew-to-human transmission can occur.'
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Camp Hill virus: What are the risks of a first-of-its-kind outbreak in America?
A new pathogen, called Camp Hill virus, was recently discovered in Alabama, drawing attention to a group of viruses known as henipaviruses. This is a big deal because other viruses in this group are linked to serious, often fatal, disease, and this is the first time one of them has been found in North America. Camp Hill virus was discovered by looking at tissue samples from short-tailed shrews that were collected in 2021. It's a new species of virus that's related to other dangerous viruses such as Nipah and Hendra, which have caused serious outbreaks in other parts of the world. It's also distantly related to the measles virus. The first known henipavirus, Hendra virus, was identified in Australia in 1994. There have been just seven cases of humans getting infected – four of them were fatal. Nipah virus, discovered in Malaysia in 1998, is much more deadly. It has caused 30 outbreaks in south-east Asia, infecting over 600 people, with death rates as high as 100% in some cases. These viruses usually cause fever and other serious symptoms, such as brain swelling and difficulty breathing. They are thought to be carried by bats and can spread to humans through their saliva or urine. Horses are also thought to be carriers. Thanks to new technology that allows scientists to study the genetics of viruses, they've now found nearly 20 species of henipaviruses around the world. These viruses have been found on every continent except Antarctica, including places like Ghana, China, Australia and Brazil. This shows that henipaviruses are probably common in nature, and new ones could pop up almost anywhere. For example, in China, a virus called Mojang virus was linked to the deaths of three workers who were exposed to it in a mine. Another virus, Langya, spread by shrews, caused an outbreak in which 35 people got sick – although they all recovered. So far, other henipaviruses haven't caused human infections, but the potential is there. The rapid growth in our understanding of these viruses comes from improvements in technology and global efforts to study diseases. But it also reminds us that viruses can suddenly jump from animals to humans in unpredictable ways. Whether a virus can harm humans depends on how well it can infect human cells, and how badly it affects the body. Some viruses cause mild symptoms, while others can lead to life-threatening diseases. Studying these viruses requires scientists to look closely at their genetic code and run laboratory tests to understand how they work. Henipaviruses can infect many animals, including bats, horses, monkeys, dogs, cats and even rodents. This means they are more adaptable and have a higher chance of jumping from animals to humans in different ways. In comparison, a virus like measles can only infect humans, which makes it less likely to spread to other species. There is no cure for henipavirus infections, but researchers are working on a vaccine for Nipah virus. Some new treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, are also being developed but aren't ready for use yet. This makes Nipah and Hendra viruses major public health concerns. The World Health Organization has called for more research to help fight them. While there's no evidence that Camp Hill virus has infected any humans yet – and the chances of it doing so are low – its discovery in North America is a reminder that viruses can emerge anywhere. Even though shrews usually live in forests and don't come into much contact with people, the potential for the virus to spread remains a worry. The more we learn about these viruses, the better we'll be at creating vaccines that can protect us from both known and new threats. Keeping up with research and staying prepared is crucial to protecting global health from future outbreaks.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New, possibly deadly virus found in Alabama animals. Could it reach Mississippi wildlife?
A new animal-borne virus has been discovered in Alabama. But the creature that carries it can be found along parts of the Atlantic seaboard, as far north as southern Saskatchewan, Canada, as far south as the Gulf states and as far west as Kansas. Could it come to Mississippi or be here already? A group of researchers from the The University of Queensland in Australia have identified a new strain of henipavirus in North America, the first found in the continent. 'Henipaviruses have caused serious disease and death in people and animals in other regions,' Dr. Rhys Parry of the UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences said in a release from the university. This strain is called Camp Hill, named for the Tallapoosa County town near Auburn, Alabama, where four infected northern short-tailed shrews were caught in 2021. 'The discovery of a henipavirus in North America is highly significant, as it suggests these viruses may be more globally distributed than previously thought.," Parry said. Here's what we know so far about the new illness. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources data shows these animals are also called: Short-tailed Blarina. Mole Shrew. Large Short-tailed Shrew. According to the National Park Service, these shrews are about 4 inches long and weigh about an ounce. They're insectivores in the same family of animals as moles, and they aren't rodents like mice or rats. They spend most of their time underground or in leaf litter and use echolocation to move in the dark. These shrews have venomous saliva that's enough to paralyze or kill some prey. Because the shrew doesn't have fangs, it introduces the neurotoxin by chewing or gnawing on its intended victim. Here's what Mississippi needs to know: First human bird flu death in the US reported. 'The closest known henipavirus to Camp Hill virus that has caused disease in humans is Langya virus, which crossed from shrews to humans in China,' Parry said. 'This indicates that shrew-to-human transmission can occur.' Shrews are considered the primary carrier for Langya, but it's also been found in goats and dogs. "Given the high case-fatality rates associated with henipaviruses, detection of CHV in North America raises concerns about past and potential future spillover events. Further investigation is needed into the potential for human infection and strategies for mitigating transmission," reads the research letter published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. 'Henipaviruses have caused serious disease and death in people and animals in other regions,' Parry said. He said the Hendra virus has a 70% fatality rate, and Nipah has "recorded fatality rates between 40 and 75 per cent in outbreaks in South-East Asia, including in Malaysia and Bangladesh." They can cause respiratory distress and encephalitis. No fatalities were reported from Langya, but infected people did reportedly have: Fever. Fatigue. Cough. Impaired liver or kidney funtion. Norovirus survival guide: How to get through the stomach flu According to information from the CDC, henipaviruses are single-strand RNA viruses that can infect humans. Of six that were previously identified, "Hendra virus and Nipah virus are highly virulent emerging pathogens that cause outbreaks in humans and are associated with high case-fatality ratios." The CDC has it listed as a travel-association infection primarily found in other countries: Nipah virus: Southeast Asia and Bangladesh, India. Hendra virus: Austrailia. Langya virus: China. The CDC noted that travelers should avoid bat roosting areas and practice food safety to avoid food contaminated by infected animals. Flying fox bats are known to be carriers, and horses exposed to bat urine can infect people. More research was needed, according to the CDC, to see how Langya virus was transferred to humans from shrews. Raw milk in Mississippi: What you need to know about state law, your health Dr. Ariel Isaacs, who co-authored the research, said developing a vaccines for this virus family is an important next step in the UQ news release. 'The next step for this work is to characterise key surface proteins on the virus that are involved in cell entry to broaden our understanding of the virus family and identify better ways to protect against it,' Isaacs said. The infected animals also carried Camp Ripley Virus, a hantavirus previously found in northern short-tailed shrews. Hantavirus is commonly carried by rodents and can be spread to people via infected urine, feces or saliva and can be made airborne while cleaning. According to the New York Department of Health, it can't be spread from person to person. Hantavirus can be deadly with symptoms possibly showing up weeks after infection. Early symptoms can look like fever, fatigue and muscle pain. More advanced infections might include headache, diarrhea, dizziness and nausea/vomiting. The main issue is fluid buildup in the lungs. It can be diagnosed with a blood test. Seek medical attention quickly if you have symptoms and think you've been exposed. Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Could new strain of possibly deadly virus affect Mississippi animals?
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New, possibly deadly virus found in Alabama animals. Here's what we know so far
A new animal-borne virus has been discovered in Alabama. But the creature that carries it can be found along parts of the Atlantic seaboard, as far north as southern Saskatchewan, Canada, as far south as the Gulf states and as far west as Kansas. A group of researchers from the The University of Queensland in Australia have identified a new strain of henipavirus in North America, the first found in the continent. 'Henipaviruses have caused serious disease and death in people and animals in other regions,' Dr. Rhys Parry of the UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences said in a release from the university. This strain is called Camp Hill, named for the place near Auburn, Alabama, where four infected northern short-tailed shrews were caught in 2021. 'The discovery of a henipavirus in North America is highly significant, as it suggests these viruses may be more globally distributed than previously thought.," Parry said. Here's what we know so far about the new illness. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources data shows these animals are also called: Short-tailed Blarina. Mole Shrew. Large Short-tailed Shrew. According to the National Park Service, these shrews are about 4 inches long and weigh about an ounce. They're insectivores in the same family of animals as moles, and they aren't rodents like mice or rats. They spend most of their time underground or in leaf litter and use echolocation to move in the dark. These shrews have venomous saliva that's enough to paralyze or kill some prey. Because the shrew doesn't have fangs, it introduces the neurotoxin by chewing or gnawing on its intended victim. What to know about Journavx: FDA approves new pain medication as an alternative to opioids 'The closest known henipavirus to Camp Hill virus that has caused disease in humans is Langya virus, which crossed from shrews to humans in China,' Parry said. 'This indicates that shrew-to-human transmission can occur.' Shrews are considered the primary carrier for Langya, but it's also been found in goats and dogs. "Given the high case-fatality rates associated with henipaviruses, detection of CHV in North America raises concerns about past and potential future spillover events. Further investigation is needed into the potential for human infection and strategies for mitigating transmission," reads the research letter published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. 'Henipaviruses have caused serious disease and death in people and animals in other regions,' Parry said. He said the Hendra virus has a 70% fatality rate, and Nipah has "recorded fatality rates between 40 and 75 per cent in outbreaks in South-East Asia, including in Malaysia and Bangladesh." They can cause respiratory distress and encephalitis. No fatalities were reported from Langya, but infected people did reportedly have: Fever. Fatigue. Cough. Impaired liver or kidney funtion. According to information from the CDC, henipaviruses are single-strand RNA viruses that can infect humans. Of six that were previously identified, "Hendra virus and Nipah virus are highly virulent emerging pathogens that cause outbreaks in humans and are associated with high case-fatality ratios." The CDC has it listed as a travel-association infection primarily found in other countries: Nipah virus: Southeast Asia and Bangladesh, India. Hendra virus: Austrailia. Langya virus: China. Norovirus survival guide: How to get through the stomach flu The CDC noted that travelers should avoid bat roosting areas and practice food safety to avoid food contaminated by infected animals. Flying fox bats are known to be carriers, and horses exposed to bat urine can infect people. More research was needed, according to the CDC, to see how Langya virus was transferred to humans from shrews. Dr. Ariel Isaacs, who co-authored the research, said developing a vaccines for this virus family is an important next step in the UQ news release. 'The next step for this work is to characterise key surface proteins on the virus that are involved in cell entry to broaden our understanding of the virus family and identify better ways to protect against it,' Isaacs said. The infected animals also carried Camp Ripley Virus, a hantavirus previously found in northern short-tailed shrews. Hantavirus is commonly carried by rodents and can be spread to people via infected urine, feces or saliva and can be made airborne while cleaning. According to the New York Department of Health, it can't be spread from person to person. Hantavirus can be deadly with symptoms possibly showing up weeks after infection. Early symptoms can look like fever, fatigue and muscle pain. More advanced infections might include headache, diarrhea, dizziness and nausea/vomiting. The main issue is fluid buildup in the lungs. It can be diagnosed with a blood test. Seek medical attention quickly if you have symptoms and think you've been exposed. Bonnie Bolden is a Deep South Connect reporter with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: New strain of possibly deadly virus found in Alabama wild animals
