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https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/08/10/langya-virus-china-shrews-henipavirus/An international team of scientists identified a new virus that was likely to have been transmitted to humans after it first infected animals, in another potential zoonotic spillover less than three years into the Coronavirus pandemic.
A peer-reviewed study published in the New England Journal of Medicine detailed the discovery of the Langya virus after it was observed in 35 patient samples collected in two eastern Chinese provinces. The researchers — based in China, Singapore and Australia — did not find evidence that the virus transmitted between people, citing in part the small sample size available. But they hypothesized that shrews, small mammals that subsist on insects, could have hosted the virus before it infected humans.
Genetic sequencing of the virus subsequently showed that the pathogen is part of the henipavirus family, which has five other known viruses. Two are considered highly virulent and are associated with high case-fatality ratios, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But none of the Langya patients died, the study stated.
Among the 35 patients, 26 were found to be infected only with the Langya virus. All of the 26 had a fever, with around half showing fatigue, decreased white blood cell count and cough. More severe symptoms include impaired kidney and liver functions.
The Langya henipavirus is a newly identified type of virus that belongs to the Henipavirus genus, which also includes the Hendra and Nipah viruses. It was first discovered in bats in the Langya caves in China.
The exact mode of transmission for the Langya henipavirus is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed that it can be transmitted from bats to other animals and potentially to humans through contact with infected saliva, urine, or feces.
The symptoms of Langya henipavirus infection in humans are still being studied, but it is known to cause respiratory and neurological symptoms similar to those of other henipaviruses. These can include fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and encephalitis.
Currently, there is no specific treatment for Langya henipavirus infection. However, supportive care can help manage symptoms and improve the chances of recovery. Research is ongoing to develop antiviral drugs and vaccines for this virus.
To prevent the spread of Langya henipavirus, it is important to avoid contact with bats and their bodily fluids, as well as any animals that may have come into contact with infected bats. Proper hygiene, such as washing hands regularly and cooking meat thoroughly, can also help prevent transmission.