A new virus that has never been seen before could be dangerous for everyone and may cause terrible symptoms.s

Health experts are worried about the possibility of a new global pandemic after a concerning discovery. A new virus, called the “Camp Hill virus,” has been found in shrews, small mole-like animals, in Alabama. This virus belongs to a dangerous family of pathogens that includes the Nipah and Hendra viruses, which can be deadly and have a high mortality rate, killing up to 70% of people they infect.

Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia found the virus in shrews. Dr. David Dyjack, a public health expert, said, “A virus like this could be a threat to all of humanity.” He explained that the virus is believed to have a very high mortality rate, and if it mutates and spreads to humans, it could be extremely dangerous, especially if it attacks the kidneys, as seen in some animals.

So far, no humans have been infected, but similar viruses have caused severe health problems, including brain and spinal cord inflammation, respiratory issues, and damage to the kidneys and liver. Dr. Dyjack expressed his concerns, saying, “Three things keep me up at night: nuclear war, climate change, and a global pandemic. The Camp Hill virus fits right into the pandemic concern.”

However, not all experts are equally worried. Dr. Donald Burke, an epidemiologist who predicted COVID-19, believes the Camp Hill virus is unlikely to cause an epidemic. Dr. Adam Hume, a virologist at Boston University, also offered reassurance, saying, “We don’t know enough about it yet. In the future, we might be able to understand its potential to spread and cause disease.”

There is some history of viruses jumping from shrews to humans. For example, the Langya virus, which is related to the Camp Hill virus, has infected humans in China, causing mild symptoms like coughing, fatigue, and fever. However, other viruses in the same family, like Nipah and Hendra, have caused severe respiratory problems and high death rates, with symptoms such as brain swelling, respiratory failure, and pneumonia appearing weeks after exposure.

Dr. Rhys Parry, one of the researchers who discovered the Camp Hill virus, said it was mostly found in the kidneys of shrews and could potentially spread to humans through bodily fluids. He noted, “The Langya virus, which also comes from shrews, has already infected humans in China. This shows that transmission from shrews to humans is possible.”