What are the emerging virus threats in the United States?

The emerging virus threats in the United States are influenza D virus and canine coronavirus.

What is the risk associated with influenza D and canine coronavirus?

The risk is that these viruses could cause epidemics or pandemics if they evolve the capacity for easy human-to-human transmission, as most people lack immunity.

What actions are recommended to address these emerging viruses?

Scientists recommend better virus monitoring, more reliable testing, and investment in treatments and vaccines.

Home / Health / New Viruses Threaten US: Are We Ready?

New Viruses Threaten US: Are We Ready?

29 Jan

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Summary

Influenza D and canine coronaviruses pose emerging public health risks.
These viruses could cause epidemics if they evolve human-to-human transmission.
Increased monitoring, testing, and vaccine development are urgently needed.

Emerging viruses, influenza D and canine coronavirus, are now recognized as significant public health threats in the United States. Researchers caution that these animal-borne viruses have the potential to cause widespread illness if they evolve the capacity for easy human-to-human transmission, given the general lack of pre-existing immunity.

Influenza D, primarily found in livestock, has shown evidence of human exposure in cattle workers, and a strain in China has already developed inter-human transmissibility. Canine coronavirus has been linked to human respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations in Asia and the Americas, circulating across continents.