According to Fox News, researchers from the University of Queensland detected the Camp Hill virus in cotton rats in Alabama, USA, on February 4th. This is the first henipavirus discovered in North America, which may be capable of transmitting from animals to humans, causing severe illness and even death.
Camp Hill virus detected in cotton rats in Alabama (Image: Fox News).
This discovery has raised concerns among the public about potential outbreaks, especially after the emergence of the Langya virus in China, which also transmitted from cotton rats to humans, causing symptoms ranging from fever and muscle pain to liver and kidney damage.
In an interview with Dan Tri news, Associate Professor Do Van Dung, former Head of Public Health at Ho Chi Minh City Medical University, explained that the Camp Hill virus belongs to the henipavirus family, which includes Hendra, Nipah, and Langya viruses, all known to cause disease in humans.
Health experts note that henipaviruses can enter animal (and human) cells through protein receptors. Therefore, scientists are investigating whether the Camp Hill virus has proteins that allow it to infect through these receptors, which would determine its potential to cause human disease. To date, there is no evidence that the Camp Hill virus can infect humans.
No evidence shows that the Camp Hill virus can infect humans (Illustrative image: Fox News).
Associate Professor Dung believes that the discovery of a new henipavirus is scientifically significant. If this virus were detected in Vietnam, there would be cause for concern due to the potential for transmission from cotton rats to humans. Additionally, if the virus could spread from person to person, it could pose a risk through travel from infected individuals.
“However, at present, none of these scenarios have occurred. If the Camp Hill virus does prove capable of infecting humans, preventing its spread would depend on the countries and regions where it circulates in wildlife. Therefore, there is currently no reason for the Vietnamese healthcare system to be alarmed,” said Associate Professor Do Van Dung.
Increased Flu Cases Lead to Surge in Vaccine Demand
Speaking to reporters, representatives from the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City reported a nearly twofold increase in flu vaccine doses administered during the Tet holiday and early part of the year compared to previous periods. Similarly, the Tropical Diseases Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has seen a 50% increase in monthly flu vaccinations, with around 130-150 cases per month.
Patients receiving medical care and flu vaccinations at the Tropical Diseases Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (Image: Hoang Le).
The Pasteur Institute recommends that people proactively get vaccinated according to guidelines to protect their health and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system. They advise against waiting until there is news of an outbreak or cases before seeking vaccination.
For the flu, everyone aged 6 months and older should consider annual vaccination, particularly those at high risk of complications, such as healthcare workers, children aged 6 months to 8 years, individuals with chronic illnesses (chronic lung diseases, congenital heart defects, heart failure, diabetes, immunodeficiency, chronic kidney disease, etc.), and those over 65 years old.
