A team of researchers from Auburn University and the University of Queensland has identified a new species of henipavirus, named after the Alabama town of Camp Hill, in a northern short-tailed shrew. The virus, called the Camp Hill virus (CHV), was detected through tests conducted on shrews that were previously used to track other viruses.
According to Dr. Rhys Parry, lead author of the study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, further research is needed to understand the potential danger of CHV to humans. However, he notes that henipaviruses have high mortality rates when detected in humans, with some viruses causing outbreaks with death rates as high as 70%.
The discovery raises concerns about the risk of spillover events, where the virus could potentially jump from animals to humans. To mitigate this risk, direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids is considered a significant threat.
Researchers are now focusing on elucidating the prevalence and geographic distribution of CHV in shrews and exploring strategies for preventing transmission.
Source: https://www.al.com/news/2025/02/auburn-researchers-collect-mole-like-animal-found-with-highly-lethal-virus-named-after-alabama-town.html