A recently identified lethal virus that occurs mainly in pigs may also pose a threat to humans, new research has suggested.
Laboratory tests at Ohio State University show that the disease, known as porcine deltacoronavirus, “readily jumps between the cells of different species including humans”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
The virus was first identified in pigs in China six years. It was then found to be the cause of a diarrhoea outbreak among pigs in Ohio in 2014, followed by reports of more cases in other countries. “Young infected pigs experience acute diarrhoea and vomiting and may die,” according to BT News.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The pathogen shows similarities to Mers (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which have killed a total of at least 1,000 people worldwide since being discovered in 2012 and 2002 respectively.
“We’re very concerned about emerging coronaviruses and worry about the harm they can do to animals and their potential to jump to humans,” said Professor Linda Saif, a co-author of the research report, published yesterday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study found that the virus has the ability to target a specific receptor molecule on the surface of cells within the digestive tract, and can bind to this receptor in chickens, cats and humans.
Lead researcher Dr Scott Kenney said: “A receptor is like a lock in the door. If the virus can pick the lock, it can get into the cell and potentially infect the host.
“From that point, it’s just a matter of whether it can replicate within the cells and cause disease in those animals and humans.”
-
October 11 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday's political cartoons include exercising voting rights, weight-loss drugs for the military, and ICE at a job fair
-
Remaking the military: the war on diversity and ‘fat generals’Talking Point The US Secretary of War addressed military members on ‘warrior ethos’
-
The delightful, smutty world of Jilly CooperIn the Spotlight Millions mourn the ‘Mrs Kipling of sex’
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
