The new 'Langya' virus that hit China has infected 35 people

The new 'Langya' virus that hit China has infected 35 people

A novel Longya Henipavirus (LayV) has been discovered in China, with 35 confirmed human infections so far, according to Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which said Taipei will develop a nucleic acid testing system to identify and track the virus.

The virus can spread from animals to humans and cause kidney and liver failure, the Taipei Times reported.

The state-run Global Times cited media reports that a new type of henipavirus (Langya henipavirus, also known as LayV) was detected in throat membrane samples from flu patients in eastern China.

Scientists participating in the study pointed out that this newly discovered henipavirus may have come from animals, and that the victims had symptoms including fever, fatigue, cough, anorexia, myalgia, and nausea.

Cases of Langya henipavirus so far have not been fatal or serious, so there is no need for alarm, said Professor Wang Linfa of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the Duke-NUS School of Medicine. It is even more prepared because many infections in nature have effects on the fly when they infect people.

In further investigation, 26 of 35 people infected with Longya henipavirus in Shandong and Henan provinces developed clinical symptoms such as fever, irritability, cough, anorexia, myalgia, nausea, headache, and vomiting.

CDC Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang said the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will soon develop a standardized method for domestic laboratories to guide genome sequencing and strengthen intelligence.

Chuang also noted that Taiwan's labs will soon begin developing a standardized method for genome sequencing, which should be done within a couple of weeks.

There is currently no vaccine or cure for henipavirus and the only treatment is supportive care to manage complications.

China has discovered a new, potentially fatal virus within its borders, which experts say could trigger yet another pandemic.

The Langya Henipavirus, referred to as "Langya," has already infected 35 people, according to Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control pic.twitter.com/cfo4flpP8U

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