The newly discovered virus was found in shrews in Alabama, and belongs to the same deadly family as the notorious Nipah and Hendra viruses – both known for their high mortality rates
The shocking discovery of a never-before-seen virus in the US has left health experts on edge – with some raising alarms that it could spark an entirely new global pandemic.
The new ‘Camp Hill virus’ was found in shrews in Alabama, and belongs to the same deadly family as the notorious Nipah and Hendra viruses – both known for their high mortality rates and potential to cause catastrophic outbreaks.
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia revealed this week that the virus, which was found in tissue samples from shrews, has been linked to the family of deadly pathogens that can kill up to 70% of people they infect, MailOnline reports.
Dr. David Dyjack, a public health expert at the National Environmental Health Association, said of the new discovery: “A virus like this could be threatening to all mankind.”
The Camp Hill virus hasn’t infected any humans yet, but experts are still sounding the alarm over its potential dangers. Known henipaviruses, like Nipah and Hendra, have been linked to horrific symptoms such as brain inflammation, kidney damage, and even organ failure. Dr. Dyjack explained that if the virus were to mutate and infect humans, it could have devastating consequences, especially if it attacks the kidneys like it does in some animals.
He added: “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.”
Other experts, however, aren’t quite as concerned. Dr. Donald Burke, an epidemiologist who correctly predicted the global Coronavirus pandemic two decades ago, downplayed the risks, saying the Camp Hill virus is unlikely to cause an epidemic just yet. The virus is still too new, and scientists are currently figuring out its full capabilities, including whether it can even spread between humans.
Dr Adam Hume, a virologist at Boston University, agreed, 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].”
What makes the discovery especially worrying is that Camp Hill virus belongs to the henipavirus family, which has already caused deadly outbreaks. The Langya virus – another henipavirus that jumped from shrews to humans in China – is a close relative of the Camp Hill virus.
While the Langya virus caused only mild symptoms, viruses like Nipah and Hendra have caused severe respiratory issues, with a mortality rate of up to 70% of those infected.
Dr. Rhys Parry, part of the team that made the discovery, warned that the virus was primarily found in the shrew’s kidneys, suggesting it could target similar organs in humans. The virus could also be transmitted through bodily fluids or possibly even respiratory droplets, just like Covid-19.
For now, the Camp Hill virus requires more research, but experts believe that if it follows the path of other henipaviruses, the world could be facing a serious public health crisis.