Researchers at the University of Queensland have just made a discovery that could shake up what we thought we knew about deadly Hendra virus. For the first time, a henipavirus has been identified in North America. Until now, these viruses, known for their frighteningly high fatality rates, were primarily associated with Australia and parts of Asia. But now? They’ve made an appearance in Alabama.
A New Virus on the Radar: Hendra Virus
What exactly are we dealing with here? Meet Camp Hill virus. This little-known henipavirus was confirmed in northern short-tailed shrews, small mammals found all across Canada and the U.S. Now, if you’re not familiar with henipaviruses, let’s say they have a bit of a reputation. According to Dr. Rhys Parry from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, these viruses have been responsible for severe disease—and death—in both humans and animals.
A History of Deadly Henipaviruses
For example, the Hendra virus was first detected in Brisbane, Australia. It has a staggering fatality rate of 70%. Then there’s the Nipah virus, which has caused outbreaks in Southeast Asia, with death rates ranging from 40% to 75%. These are not numbers you want to mess with.
The big question now is: should we be worried? Well, scientists aren’t sounding the alarm just yet. Dr. Parry points out that the closest known henipavirus to Camp Hill virus that has caused disease in humans is the Langya virus, which jumped from shrews to humans in China. That’s not exactly comforting news, but it does tell us that shrew-to-human transmission is possible. Could the same thing happen with the Camp Hill virus? More research is needed to answer that question.
What Happens Next?
That’s where the team at UQ comes in. Co-author Dr. Ariel Isaacs explains that their focus now is on developing vaccines and understanding how these viruses enter human cells. By analyzing the key surface proteins of the Camp Hill virus, they hope to find better ways to protect against it. And given what we know about henipaviruses, that kind of research couldn’t come at a better time.
This discovery raises a lot of questions. How long has the Camp Hill virus been in North America? Could it have already spread to other mammals—or even humans—without us realizing it? And most importantly, does it pose a real threat? One thing is sure: scientists are now watching closely, and so should we.
Reference: Materials provided by University of Queensland. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
