New ‘Langya’ Virus Reported in China with 35 infections

August 8th, Communist China confirmed 35 infection cases with the zoonotic Langya virus (LayV). Information released by Taiwan Centre for Disease Control (TCDC) show the cases were discovered in Shandong and Henan province. According to the Taiwan media, the local authorities have started using nucleic acid testing procedures to diagnose the virus and track its spread.
TCDC has issued a precautionary alert, advising people to closely monitor the virus news. Chuang Jen-Hsiang, the deputy director of the TCDC, told the media that the virus exhibits no human-to-human transmission so far.
As for now, the result of a thorough serological survey shows 2% of the tested goats and 5% of the tested dogs were positive.
For the moment two provinces Shandong and Henan have reported infections. According to Chuang Jen-Hsiang, the TCDC will soon establish a standardised process for domestic laboratories to perform genome sequencing and bolster surveillance.
As reported, the newly discovered virus can cause renal and hepatic failure and most likely to be transmitted from animals to humans.
Chuang told the media that Taiwan’s laboratories immediately started developing a standardised method for genome sequencing and it is expected to be finished within a week.
Chuang went on to say although there have not yet been any documented deaths linked to LayV, the newly discovered virus needs to be watched closely.
26 of 35 individuals reported have experienced fever, exhaustion, a cough, appetite loss, muscle discomfort, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Also, a reduction in white blood cells been reported. In addition, liver failure, renal failure, and a low platelet count are other symptoms.
What are the next steps?
Chuang said, because Langya virus is a recently discovered virus, Taiwan’s laboratories will need a standardised nucleic acid testing method to identify the virus. And this will allow TCDC to track human to human infections.