A novel virus capable of transmission from animals to humans has been identified in Bangladesh. Scientists from Columbia University detected the Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) in individuals admitted to hospitals presenting with symptoms resembling those of the lethal Nipah virus, according to pronedra.ru.
Patients reported experiencing high fever, vomiting, and neurological impairment. Nevertheless, standard tests conducted for Nipah came back negative. The actual etiology of the illness was only ascertained through the utilization of advanced viral sequencing technology (VCS).
The subsequent investigation revealed that all those infected had consumed unpasteurized date palm sap. Date palm containers used for collection attract fruit bats, which contaminate them with their excrement. Genetic analysis verified a direct link between the virus found in the patients and local bat populations. Experts caution that the discovery of PRV highlights how numerous zoonotic infections go undetected due to diagnostic hurdles, and seemingly harmless dietary practices might pose considerable risks.
About the Author
