ECDC considers the risk of Langya henipavirus infections for EU citizens in Europe as ‘very low’. The agency issued a press release stating that it is monitoring the occurrence of infections with emerging human pathogens including viruses of the Henipavirus genus.
According to a group of Chinese scientists, the detection of a previously unknown, phylogenetically distinct henipavirus, named Langya henipavirus (LayV), was reported in China. ‘Based on the limited information currently available, the risk for EU citizens visiting or residing in the Shandong and Henan provinces of China, where the virus was reported, is considered very low. Similarly, the risk of infection for EU citizens in Europe is considered very low’, the press release reads.
It is noted that the virus was identified through sentinel surveillance of febrile cases with a history of recent animal exposure in eastern China. Between April 2018 and August 2021, 35 patients with acute LayV infection were detected in the Shandong and Henan provinces of China. The following symptoms/signs were reported: fever, fatigue, cough, anorexia, myalgia, nausea, headache, and vomiting.
The majority (85%) of the cases for which information about occupation is available were farmers.
It is further added that there is no indication of human-to-human transmission; however, the possibility cannot be ruled out. Further research will be required to understand the mode(s) of transmission of LayV.
The press release notes that no deaths among the cases were reported by the authors, which could suggest a relatively low disease severity. The symptoms and signs reported are not specific, so ECDC cannot exclude the occurrence of human cases before 2018 and a wider geographical distribution of the virus.
Source: Cyprus News Agency