A potentially lethal virus has been identified in the United States for the first time.
Researchers in Alabama have discovered the Camp Hill virus in shrews, prompting concerns regarding its potential transmission to humans via animal reservoirs, which could lead to a widespread outbreak.
The Camp Hill virus belongs to the henipavirus family, which includes the Nipah virus, known for being transmitted by bats and having a mortality rate of up to 70%. Despite this, there have been no recorded human cases of the Camp Hill virus, and experts remain uncertain about its symptoms and fatality rate.
The Langya virus, which has been transmitted from shrews to humans in China, is the closest known virus to Camp Hill. It is associated with symptoms such as renal impairment, liver dysfunction, fever, fatigue, coughing, and muscle pain.
Dr. Rhys Parry from the University of Queensland, who confirmed the presence of the virus in Alabama shrews, stated, “This indicates that shrew-to-human transmission can occur.”
“The identification of a henipavirus in North America is of great importance, as it implies that these viruses may be more widely distributed globally than previously recognized.” Researchers have expressed concern, noting in a recent publication that the discovery of the Camp Hill virus in North America “raises concerns about past and potential future spillover events” due to “the high case-fatality rates associated with henipaviruses.”
They emphasize, however, that further research is necessary to determine whether the Camp Hill virus poses a threat to humans. Dr. Parry remarked, “Henipaviruses have caused severe illness and mortality in both humans and animals in other regions.”
“Among the most dangerous is the Hendra virus, first identified in Brisbane, Australia, which has a fatality rate of 70 percent.”
“Another notable example is the Nipah virus, which has exhibited fatality rates ranging from 40 to 75 percent during outbreaks in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Bangladesh.”
The Hendra and Nipah viruses can lead to influenza and respiratory distress symptoms, including pneumonia. The Hendra virus may cause severe neurological issues such as seizures, confusion, coma, and significant inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
The Nipah virus has the potential to trigger seizures, brain inflammation, confusion, disorientation, and coma within a mere 24 hours.
Currently, there is no specific treatment available for either virus. The Camp Hill virus is typically found in Australian fruit bats; however, its recent identification in a North American mammal may challenge existing beliefs regarding its transmission, according to researchers.
This finding suggests that the Camp Hill virus has evolved to thrive in various animal species and is more widely distributed than previously recognized by experts.
The northern short-tailed shrew, commonly located in southern Canada and the eastern and central United States, inhabits bogs and dense forests. Given that a significant portion of their habitat overlaps with human environments, there exists a potential risk for zoonotic transmission.
Although the findings were only disclosed this week, researchers had previously detected the virus in shrews in 2021.
To date, there have been no reported human infections, as the virus has only been identified in bats.
In a study focused on mammalian aging, researchers in Alabama captured four northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) and subsequently identified genetic material from the Camp Hill virus through tissue sample analysis.
The predominance of the virus in the shrews’ kidneys suggests that it may similarly affect the same organs in humans.
According to co-author Dr. Ariel Isaacs, the research team is focused on developing vaccines for this family of viruses.
Nipah and Hendra are examples of henipaviruses that infect host cells by attaching to specific proteins on the surface of those cells.
Viruses bind to cell receptors through a protein known as the G protein, and they merge their membrane with that of the host cell utilizing another protein referred to as the F protein. This process enables the virus to infiltrate the cell and initiate its replication.
To enhance our understanding of this viral family and to create more effective countermeasures, Dr. Isaacs indicated that the subsequent stage of this research will focus on investigating the essential surface proteins of the virus that play a significant role in its capacity to invade cells.
