A worrying new bat coronavirus is among 36 new viruses discovered in animals including raccoon dogs, mink and guinea pigs on Chinese fur farms, scientists have warned. The findings published in the Nature Journal on Wednesday showed cases of the new coronavirus have been found on small-scale fur farms. Professor Eddie Holmes, an evolutionary biologist and virologist at the University of Sydney, said: “Fur farms represent a much richer zoonotic soup than we thought.
According to a Chinese report
He co-authored the report with colleagues in China. The researchers studied the disease not only in commonly raised and studied animals (such as mink, muskrat, fox and raccoon dog), but also in species such as guinea pigs and deer.
These dangerous viruses found in animal fur
Are common in small backyard farms throughout China. And rarely subject to disease surveillance efforts. Dr. Holmes said studies show these species are also full of viruses. And some of those viruses cross species boundaries. Which is a real concern. I think this fur trade is a gamble. We’re exposing ourselves to viruses from wildlife, which could signal the start of the next pandemic.
The team of researchers tested 461 animals from fur farms. Most were in northeastern China. All died from the disease. The scientists identified 125 different virus species. This included 36 new pathogens.
The team also discovered seven coronaviruses, whose original hosts were rodents, rabbits and dogs. Although none of them are closely related to Sars-Cov-2, a worrying new bat coronavirus was discovered. It, called HKU5, was found in the lungs and intestines of minks that died from a pneumonia outbreak on a fur farm.
HKU5 ‘is a warning signal’
The question is still whether we can determine which types of viruses we should be most concerned about and whether these viruses can also be transmitted to humans. According to health experts, this virus can also spread between humans. HKU5 should be immediately put on the watch list. This is definitely a danger sign. He has been pushing for stricter monitoring of fur farms in China and around the world. Professor Linfa Wang, director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Program at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, who was not involved in the study.
Scientists have long feared that mink farms could be a breeding ground for viruses to mutate. Because the animals are susceptible to many viruses just like humans. In the fall of 2020, Denmark killed its entire mink population, about five million animals, after COVID-19 jumped from humans to mink, mutated, and then reinfected humans with a new strain.
Disclaimer: Some information provided in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.
Almond Skin: Why Children and Elderly People Should Not Eat Almond Peels? Know What the Harm Is
Source link
