Zoonotic Langya virus infects 35 people in China's Henan & Shandong; experts issue warning

As many as 35 human infections of zootic Langya virus (LayV) were reported on Monday in China. According to reports by Taiwan Center for Disease Control (TCDC), cases were identified in mainland's Shandong and Henan provinces. Authorities have currently decided to initiate nucleic acid testing methods to identify and monitor spre of virus, Taipei Times reported.

Taipei CDC on Monday issued a precautionary warning, urging people to pay close attention to news about virus. Speaking to Taipei Times, Taiwan CDC Deputy Director Chuang Jen-Hsiang said that currently, reports have suggested that virus exhibited human-to-human transmission. He ded, so far nearly 2% of goats and 5% of dogs and or domestic animals tested positive for virus after a thorough serological survey.

What is Zootic Langya virus?

Zootic Langya virus or LayV is a new animal-derived henipavirus that is mostly transferred from animal to animal. However, after 35 human infections were reported in China, health experts are w concerned about its human-associated transmission. serosurvey conducted by specialists also concluded that 25 wild animal species might be a "natural reservoir" of LayV henipavirus. About 27% of such wild subjects showed presence of virus in mselves, Taiwanese CDC Deputy chief said.

"This virus belongs to same genus as Nipah virus, and so far se cases have t been fatal or very serious. It can refore be said that [we] should be vigilant, t panic, about this new virus. But we need to be careful because re are more similar viruses in nature, and if a different virus jumps on humans, situation may t be same," said Professor Wang Linfa of School of Medicine of National University of Singapore, told surging news (www.paper.cn) on August 8.

Symptoms of LayV henipavirus

A comprehensive study titled 'A Zootic Henipavirus in Febrile Patients in China' ted that new infections reported among humans exhibited symptoms like fever, fatigue, cough, cold, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. Eventually, virus led to a decrease in white blood cells, and low platelet count, furr resulting in renal and liver failure. Henipah virus is described by experts as one of important emerging causes of zootic diseases in Asia-Pacific. Two viruses in genus are kwn to affect humans- Hendra and Nipah- natural host for both are fruit bats. fatality rate for both is between 40% to 70%.

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