A new virus recently discovered in nearly three dozen people in China was likely transmitted from animals to humans, an international team of researchers reported.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine identified the Langya virus after 35 people in two eastern Chinese provinces sought treatment for fevers.
Researchers say it is likely that the virus was transmitted between people and a type of shrew.
The virus was first detected in 2018, according to the study. Of the 35 patients who were ill, 26 were found to be infected only with the Langya virus while the others had the virus and another health issue. All of the 26 who had just the virus had a fever, and around half of those showed fatigue, a drop in white blood cell count and a cough.
None of the 35 died from the virus, according to the study.
It is not believed that the virus can be transmitted person-to-people as COVID-19 can, according to researchers. The transmission has been seen only between animals and people.
Genetic sequencing showed that the virus is a new virus that is part of the henipavirus family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the henipavirus family has five other known viruses, two of those are considered highly virulent and are associated with a high death rate.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control announced on Sunday that it would continue genome sequencing and surveillance measures for the virus, The Guardian reported.
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