What is it?

• The virus, named Langya henipavirus (LayV), can cause respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, nausea and headaches and fatigue, and is closely related to two other henipaviruses known to infect people — Hendra virus and Nipah virus. These also cause respiratory infections, and can be fatal.
• Some people also developed blood cell abnormalities and impaired liver and kidney functions
• Langya transmits from animals to humans, so it is not as contagious as coronavirus. As of now, there’s no reported human-to-human transmission.

Where has the Langya virus come from?

• The origin of the Langyavirus is still unclear. However, it is likely transmitted from animal to human. Since the LayV virus RNA has been predominantly found in shrews, that might be its natural hosts.

Why in News:

• Dozens in China infected with Langya virus found in shrews.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/dozens-in-china-infected-with-langya-virus-found-in-shrews/article65758467.ece