Scientists Warn of More Animal-to-Human Virus Spillover Amid COVID-like Outbreaks.
Scientists warn that the Langya virus, a little-known but lethal virus similar to COVID-19, has the potential to cause a global health emergency. The virus, which belongs to the Henipavirus family, was first identified among humans in China last year and causes severe respiratory symptoms that can lead to fatal pneumonia. Henipaviruses are the most lethal of paramyxoviruses, killing around 70% of those who contract them. With the potential for more spillover events from animals to humans, researchers are working to develop broad-spectrum vaccines to ward off Henipaviruses in humans.
