Recent times have seen yet another zoonotic disease emerge, this time linked to a relatively unknown virus known as the Langya Henipavirus. The first recorded case of an infection caused by this virus appeared in 2019. The current climate, with the world already grappling with Covid-19 and Monkeypox cases, has heightened the concerns around this new threat.
The World Health Organization has placed the Langya virus in the category of Biosafety Level 4 (BSL4) Pathogens – the highest level of containment required, indicating the severe risk it poses.
Understanding Biosafety Levels
The Biosafety Levels (BSL) have been established to assess the necessary precautions that need to be taken in laboratory settings to protect not only the workers but also the environment and the public at large. They categorize activities and projects carried out in biological laboratories based on the level of potential hazard. These levels range from BSL-1 to BSL-4, with BSL-4 indicating the maximum possible threat.
Characteristics of the Langya Virus
Like many other diseases that have jumped from animals to humans, the Langya virus is a zoonotic disease. It belongs to the Henipavirus genus which boasts a single-stranded RNA genome with a negative orientation. One of the unique features of henipaviruses is their larger genomes and longer untranslated regions, extending more than 100 amino acids longer than any other known phosphoprotein in the family.
The Langya virus is an emerging cause of zoonosis specifically in the Asia-Pacific region. Other noteworthy members of the Henipavirus family include viruses like the Mojiang, Ghanian, Cedar, Nipah, and Hendra. Of these, the Nipah and Hendra viruses are known to have caused fatal illnesses in humans.
Identifying the Langya Virus
The Langya virus, described as a ‘phylogenetically distinct Henipavirus,’ has a genome organization identical to those of other Henipaviruses. It is closely related to the Mojiang Henipavirus, discovered in southern China. Symptoms brought on by an infection are similar to common ailments and include fever, fatigue, cough, nausea, headache, and loss of appetite. Unfortunately, no licensed drugs or vaccines specific for this virus are available yet.
The Potential Impact of the Langya Virus
Given its similarities to the deadly Nipah virus, the Langya virus poses a potential threat to human life in the event of severe infections. In response to the outbreak, relevant authorities are monitoring and studying the situation carefully.
Updates on Other Viral Diseases
Contemporary studies and updates on various viral diseases, such as Adenoviruses and Retroviruses, are also underway. Adenoviruses are distinguished by their double-stranded DNA, whereas retroviruses utilize RNA as their genetic material.
Common illnesses like the cold can sometimes be attributed to adenoviruses, while AIDS is caused by a type of retrovirus. These insights were raised in previous year questions for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The Ebola virus has also been in the headlines recently due to outbreaks in countries like Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. This severe illness can be transferred to humans from wild animals and then spread within human populations through contact with infected bodily fluids.
