Taipei/New Delhi: After coronavirus and monkeypox, other viruses have made the news. A zoonotic Langya virus has been discovered in China that has so far reported 35 human infections, Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said. It noted that Taipei will establish a nucleic acid testing system to identify the virus and monitor its spread, media reports said. Langya henipavirus has been found in China’s Shandong and Henan provinces and can be transmitted from animals to humans, the Taipei Times reported.Also Read – Taiwan holds drills, says China wants control of sea
According to a study, human-to-human transmission of the virus has not yet been reported, Chuang Jen-hsiang, deputy director general of Taiwan’s CDC, said on Sunday. However, he said the CDC has yet to determine whether the virus can be transmitted to humans and warned people to watch for further updates about the virus. Also Read – ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ surpasses ‘Titanic’ to become seventh highest grossing domestic release in box office history
Results of serological survey
Detailing a serological survey conducted on domestic animals, he said 2 percent of goats tested and 5 percent of dogs tested were positive. Test results of 25 wild animal species indicate that the shrew (a small insectivorous mammal
(mouse) may be a natural reservoir of Langya henipavirus, as the virus was found in 27 percent of clever subjects, said CDC Deputy DG. Also Read – China begins long-range airstrike drills around Taiwan
Effects and transmission of Langya henipavirus
- According to the Taipei Times, the virus can cause renal and hepatic failure and possibly spread from animals to humans.
- Chuang said the 35 patients in China did not have close contact with each other or a common exposure history, and contact tracing showed no viral transmission between close contacts and family, suggesting that human infection may have been sporadic.
Signs and symptoms of Langya henipavirus
- Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, headache and vomiting were observed in 26 patients.
- They also showed decreased white blood cells, low platelet count, liver failure and kidney failure.
Further action
Since Lengya virus is a newly discovered virus and therefore, Taiwanese laboratories will need a standardized nucleic acid test method to identify the virus, so that human infection can be monitored if needed, Chuang added.
(with inputs from ANI)
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