Recently Emerged Novel Henipa-like Viruses: Shining a Spotlight on the Shrew

Authors: Sarah Caruso, Sarah J. Edwards

Year: 2023

Journal: Viruses

DOI: 10.3390/v15122407

Summary

This review focuses on the recent detection of novel unclassified henipaviruses with a strong emphasis on the shrew and its emerging role as a key host.

Key Findings

• Henipaviruses are enveloped, negative-sense RNA viruses with an ability to infect a range of species
• HeV and NiV can cause severe respiratory illness, neurological disease, febrile illness, and high fatality in animals and humans
• Recent emergence of novel henipa-like viruses outside the geographic distribution of Pteropid fruit bats suggests that they are not the sole reservoir for henipaviruses

Methodology

• Study Type: Review

Topics

Henipavirus, Paramyxovirus, Pteropid Bat, Shrew, Zoonotic

Relevance

This paper highlights the ongoing critical threat of henipaviruses to both animal and human public health and provides an update on their spillover events, focusing on novel unclassified viruses and the shrew's emerging role as a key host.

Source

View the entire paper: File:Viruses-15-02407.pdf