New Langya virus detected in China.
According to government media here on Tuesday, a novel strain of henipavirus produced from animals has so far infected humans in the Chinese provinces of Shandong and Henan.
According to media sources cited by the state-run Global Times, the new strain of henipavirus, also known as the Langya henipavirus or LayV.
It was discovered in throat swab samples from feverish patients in eastern China.
Researchers who took part in the research noted that this recently identified henipavirus.
It may have originated from animals and is linked to certain febrile instances.
Those who get it have symptoms including fever, exhaustion, coughing, anorexia, myalgia, and nausea.
The sole therapy for henipavirus is supportive care to manage problems since there is neither vaccination nor a cure.
According to Wang Linfa, a Professor in the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases at Duke-NUS Medical School who was involved in the study, the cases of Langya henipavirus so far have not been fatal or very serious. So there is no need for panic.
However, Wang Linfa added that it is still a cause for alarm because many natural viruses can have unpredictable effects when they infect humans.
In Shandong and Henan provinces, further examination revealed that clinical symptoms included fever, irritability, cough, anorexia, myalgia, nausea, headaches, and vomiting had developed in 26 out of 35 cases of Langya Henipavirus infection.
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.