A potentially dangerous virus, the Camp Hill virus, has been found for the first time in the United States, specifically in shrews in Alabama. This discovery raises concerns about the possibility of the virus spreading to humans through animal hosts, potentially leading to a widespread outbreak.
The Camp Hill virus belongs to the henipavirus family, which includes the Nipah virus, a bat-borne infection that has a fatality rate of up to 70%. While no human cases of the Camp Hill virus have been reported yet, experts remain uncertain about its symptoms and death rate.
The Langya virus, which emerged in China and spread from shrews to humans, is the closest known virus to Camp Hill. It causes symptoms like fever, fatigue, coughing, muscle aches, and liver and kidney damage.
Dr. Rhys Parry from the University of Queensland, who confirmed the virus’s presence in Alabama shrews, stated, “This shows that shrews can transmit the virus to humans.”
The discovery of a henipavirus in North America is especially important as it suggests these types of viruses may be more widespread globally than previously realized.
