A recent article published by Live Science reports the detection of a close relative of the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses in North America for the first time, specifically in Alabama.
Four northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) caught near Camp Hill in Tallapoosa County, Alabama in 2021, were found to be carrying a new pathogen called Camp Hill virus. The virus was discovered during subsequent analyses of frozen organ samples taken from the shrews.
Camp Hill virus is a member of the henipavirus group, which is a diverse group of viruses that primarily infect bats but can also infect other mammals, including humans. These viruses are known to cause serious respiratory illness and inflammation of the brain, leading to encephalitis in humans.
The detection of Camp Hill virus is groundbreaking because it marks the first known presence of a henipavirus in North America. In a paper released on January 17, scientists shared their findings, which raise concerns about the potential widespread distribution of henipaviruses. This discovery also indicates that northern short-tailed shrews, found commonly across central and eastern North America, may carry these viruses, as well as other pathogens that are known to cause human diseases.
Researchers are cautioning against jumping to conclusions about the potential risk of Camp Hill virus to humans through contact with infected animals or their waste.
