Janice R. Andrews
A newly discovered virus in Alabama has raised concerns among pandemic forecasters, with experts warning of its potential to infect humans and trigger a global health crisis. The Camp Hill virus, detected in shrews by researchers from The University of Queensland in Australia, belongs to the henipavirus family, which includes deadly pathogens like Nipah and Hendra viruses. These viruses are among the World Health Organization’s (WHO) top pandemic threats, making the discovery a significant public health concern.
What is the Camp Hill Virus?
The Camp Hill virus was identified in 2021 during a study on mammal aging, where researchers captured northern short-tailed shrews in Alabama. Genetic material from the virus was found primarily in the shrews’ kidneys, suggesting it could target similar organs in humans. While the virus has not yet infected humans, its genetic makeup indicates it may have the potential to cross species barriers.
Dr. Rhys Parry, a researcher involved in the study, highlighted the virus’s similarity to the Langya virus, another henipavirus that crossed from shrews to humans in China. Langya virus causes mild symptoms like coughing, fatigue, and fever, but other henipaviruses, such as Nipah and Hendra, are far more severe, causing brain inflammation, respiratory failure, and organ damage.
Why Are Experts Concerned?
The henipavirus family is notorious for its high mortality rates and ability to cause severe disease. Nipah virus, for instance, kills between 40% and 75% of those infected, while Hendra virus has a fatality rate of around 50%-70%. Although the Camp Hill virus’s effects on humans remain unknown, its genetic similarities to these pathogens have raised red flags.
Dr. David Dyjack, a public health expert at the National Environmental Health Association, expressed deep concern about the virus’s potential to mutate and spread to humans. He told DailyMail.com, “What concerns us in public health is we have this virus with [we believe] a very high mortality rate, and if it were to mutate and transmit to a human, and attack the kidneys, as we’ve seen in some animals, that could be particularly threatening to all of mankind.”
Dr. Dyjack also emphasized that the virus’s unknown transmissibility and pathogenicity make it a significant threat. “There’s more that we don’t know than we know as it relates to public health,” he said. “On the face of it, that is alarming, particularly since it has been identified within the homeland.”
How Does the Virus Work?
Like other henipaviruses, the Camp Hill virus likely binds to proteins on human cell membranes, allowing it to enter and hijack cells. Once inside, the virus replicates its genetic material, producing more viral proteins that infect additional cells. This process can lead to widespread damage in vital organs such as the lungs, brain, and kidneys.
While some henipaviruses are known to spread through respiratory droplets, the exact transmission mechanisms of the Camp Hill virus remain unclear. Dr. Dyjack compared the uncertainty to the early days of COVID-19, when it was unclear whether the virus spread through surfaces or airborne particles. “If it’s airborne, that causes me great distress as a public health professional,” he said.
Mixed Reactions from Experts
Not all experts share the same level of concern. Dr. Donald Burke, an epidemiologist who accurately predicted the COVID-19 pandemic, believes the Camp Hill virus is unlikely to cause an epidemic. He told DailyMail.com, “It isn’t likely to cause an epidemic.”
Similarly, Dr. Adam Hume, a virologist at Boston University, cautioned against jumping to conclusions. “At this point, we don’t know enough about it,” he said. “Maybe someday in the future, we would be able to sort of determine [transmissibility and virulence].”
Dr. David Quammen, a science writer and author of Spillover, also downplayed the immediate threat. “I’m not saying the discovery of a new henipavirus is not something to take seriously. It is. It could be concerning. But at this point, if it’s just been found in a shrew in Alabama, it’s not concerning,” he said.
The Role of Shrews and Potential Reservoirs
Shrews are believed to be either the primary reservoir of the Camp Hill virus or an intermediary host. The true reservoir could be another animal, such as fruit bats, which are known carriers of other henipaviruses. If the virus mutates within shrews, it could enhance its ability to bind to human cell receptors, increasing the risk of spillover.
Dr. Dyjack warned that the U.S. has “the right conditions here for the next pandemic.” He cited the presence of a mammal carrying a virus with no available vaccine, limited surveillance, and unprepared clinical communities as factors that could facilitate transmission to humans.
Lessons from COVID-19 and Future Preparedness
The discovery of the Camp Hill virus underscores the importance of proactive surveillance and research into emerging pathogens. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the devastating consequences of being unprepared for a novel virus, and experts are urging governments and health organizations to take the threat of henipaviruses seriously.
Dr. Dyjack emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, “As we saw with COVID, it was unclear in the beginning whether this was fomites – organisms on surfaces – or whether it was airborne. Turns out it was airborne. For something like this, if it’s airborne, that causes me great distress as a public health professional.”
Conclusion
While the Camp Hill virus has yet to infect humans, its discovery serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of zoonotic diseases. The henipavirus family’s history of causing severe illness and high mortality rates makes this new pathogen a cause for concern. However, experts remain divided on the immediate risk it poses.
As scientists continue to study the virus, the global health community must remain vigilant, investing in research, surveillance, and preparedness to prevent the next pandemic. The lessons learned from COVID-19 should guide our response to emerging threats like the Camp Hill virus, ensuring that we are better equipped to protect public health in the future.
For now, the Camp Hill virus remains a mystery, but its discovery highlights the importance of understanding and mitigating the risks posed by zoonotic diseases. As Dr. Dyjack aptly put it, “The conditions under which perhaps it could be transmitted to a human through a horse or a pig or something, and then for it to exist in a human population without actually being detected for a while exists in the US right now.”
The world must stay alert, as the next pandemic could be lurking closer than we think.
