Scientists have identified a previously unknown virus in North American mammals that could potentially threaten human health.
According to Daily Mail Online, researchers have discovered the Camp Hill virus in shrews in Alabama, marking the first detection of this potentially lethal henipavirus in the United States.
The virus belongs to the same family as the deadly Nipah virus, which has a mortality rate of up to 70 percent in humans. While Camp Hill virus has never infected humans, its discovery in North American mammals raises significant concerns about possible transmission to people.
Northern short-tailed shrews harbor dangerous henipavirus strain
Scientists captured four northern short-tailed shrews in Alabama during a mammal aging study in 2021. The research team found genetic material from Camp Hill virus primarily in the shrews' kidneys, suggesting the virus could target similar organs if transmitted to humans.
The habitat of these shrews frequently overlaps with human populations across Southern Canada and the Eastern and Central United States. This proximity increases the possibility of animal-to-human transmission.
Dr. Rhys Parry from the University of Queensland, who confirmed the virus's presence, emphasized the significance of finding a henipavirus in North America. According to Parry:
This indicates that shrew-to-human transmission can occur. The discovery of a henipavirus in North America is highly significant, as it suggests these viruses may be more globally distributed than previously thought.
Related viruses show dangerous potential for human infection
The Camp Hill virus is closely related to other henipaviruses that have caused severe illness in humans. The Langya virus, which crosses from shrews to humans in China, causes symptoms including fever, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, and organ dysfunction.
Two other related viruses, Hendra and Nipah, are particularly concerning due to their high mortality rates. Hendra virus, first detected in Brisbane, Australia, has a 70 percent fatality rate. The Nipah virus has caused outbreaks in Southeast Asia, with death rates between 40 and 75 percent.
Dr. Ariel Isaacs and the research team are focusing on developing vaccines for this virus family. Understanding how these viruses enter cells through specific proteins could lead to better protection against potential infections.
Scientists work to prevent future viral outbreaks
The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the geographic distribution of henipaviruses. While Australian fruit bats were considered the typical hosts, finding the virus in North American shrews suggests it has evolved to survive in different animal species.
Researchers are particularly concerned about the virus's potential impact, given the high mortality rates associated with other henipaviruses. However, they emphasize the need for additional research to determine whether Camp Hill virus poses a direct threat to human health.
The research team is studying crucial surface proteins that enable the virus to enter cells. This knowledge could help develop preventive measures against potential future outbreaks.
Research reveals crucial details about emerging threat
The Camp Hill virus was identified in shrews in Alabama during a 2021 study, raising concerns about its potential transmission to humans through animal reservoirs. While the virus has not yet infected humans, its presence in North American mammals suggests a broader distribution than previously believed. Scientists are actively studying the virus's characteristics and developing potential vaccines to protect against this emerging threat.
