Filenews 16 August 2022
There is no reason for particular concern at this stage regarding the Langya virus, which was detected in China, the Ministry of Health said in a statement while noting that it is closely monitoring the situation regarding the progression of the disease.
As the Ministry explains, the new virus, which has been given the name Langya Henipavirus (LayV), was identified during the investigation of febrile cases with a recent history of exposure to animals in the East China region. It has been first detected in the provinces of Shandog and Henan in 35 people during the period of April 2018 and August 2021.
The new virus concerns zoonose (transmitted from animals to humans) and belongs to the genus Henipavirus of the family Paramyxoviridae. Some viruses of this group can cause serious illness in humans, and even death.
A seroepidemiological study in domestic animals detected seropositivity in goats (in 2%) and in dogs (in 5%). Viral RNA was also detected in rodent species, mainly crocidura lasiura mygalds, which may also be the virus's natural reservoir.
The main symptoms observed in patients who became ill with the virus were:
- fever
- weariness
- cough
- anorexia
- Myalgia
- nausea
- headache
Patients also had haematological disorders such as leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and impaired liver and kidney function. The majority of patients (85%) were mostly farmers and most reported in a questionnaire that they had been exposed to animals within one month of the onset of their symptoms.
At this stage there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus, but this possibility cannot yet be ruled out. Further research is needed to enable scientists to understand the exact way in which the virus is transmitted, the epidemiology and the characteristics of the disease.
To date, no deaths from the Langya virus have also been reported, which may indicate a relatively low severity of the disease.
At this stage there is no reason for much concern about the virus. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation regarding the progression of the disease.
The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) characteristically reports that the risk of infection for EU citizens both in Europe and for those visiting China is considered very low.
More information can be found on the ECDC website at the following link:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/langya-henipavirus-under-ecdc-monitoring
