Doctors have raised the alarm over a brand new virus that has infected dozens of people in China.
‘Langya’ henipavirus — or LayV — was detected in 35 people in the country’s eastern Henan and Shandong provinces.
It belongs to a family of viruses that are known to kill up to three-quarters of humans in severe cases.
None of the new cases have resulted in death and most are mild, with patients experiencing flu-like symptoms.
The novel virus is thought to have been passed on by shrews — small mammals from the same family as hedgehogs and moles.
Chinese experts investigating the outbreak are still trying to work out if the virus can spread between people.
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They say there is no evidence yet, but the fact the virus has spread to dozens of people across two different provinces will be a concern.
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Langya virus is a hepinavirus that has been spotted in humans for the first time in China.
It belongs to the same family as the Nipah virus, which is a deadly pathogen that is usually found in bats.
Experts believe Langya was passed on to humans by shrews, a small mole-like mammal.
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