In recent years, we have all learned the hard way that zoonosis. we saw it with him COVID-19 virus, which passed from bats to humans through an intermediate species that is still not very clear. We are also seeing this now with monkeypox; that, despite its name, perhaps jumped people from mice and other small rodents. Clearly, it is vital to keep track of these animal diseases that could potentially reach us. Therefore, finding new type of coronavirus in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) from Sweden is the reason why the relevant authorities should be on the lookout for these and other mice susceptible to infection in humans.
The coronavirus in question was dubbed as Grimsoe, after the location in Sweden where it was found. At the moment, it is not known whether this can pose a danger to humans. However, those responsible for its discovery, from Uppsala UniversityI think there are plenty of reasons not to lose sight of the bank vole.
After all, the life of many rodents, like mice, is closely connected with ours. especially how climate change is destroying their habitat and makes them hide among us. This new coronavirus is just one example of everything to watch out for in order to avoid new fears in the future. Because they will, of that we can be sure. But if we’ve done our homework, maybe next time we won’t be as green as we were with COVID-19.
New coronavirus hid among Swedish voles
The authors of this study, recently published in viruses, it was not by chance that we stopped on the red-backed vole. It is known that this species can carry other viruses capable of infecting humans, such as pumala, causing a hemorrhagic fever known as epidemic nephropathy. In fact, in Finland and Sweden, this disease is called respectively murekuume D sorkfeber. In both cases, translation into Spanish “mole fever”. On the other hand, in Norway, where these rodents also live, it is known as musepest or mice invasion.
The samples were taken before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Puumala is hantavirus, but the researchers thought that these rodents could be carriers of other viruses as well. That’s why, from 2015 to 2017 picked up 450 wild voles who took lung tissue samples. This was subsequently analyzed in search of viral genetic material. They found different viruses, but they were especially struck by the fact that 3.4% mice they had coronavirus RNA found in their lungs, which has not yet been described. It was a beta coronavirus, like SARS-CoV. At that time, SARS-CoV-2 was not thought of, because experiments began even before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They named this new virus as Grimsoe and decided to implement the necessary protocols to track these mice. Moreover, this idea became even more necessary when SARS-CoV-2 suddenly entered our lives.
It’s not just about mice
Both the vole and other mice have routines very close to human. Moreover, it may become more common as climate change progresses.
But mice, bats, and pangolins aren’t the only animals to watch out for. DuringCOVID-19 pandemicFor example, we have seen that minks can become dangerous contagions. In fact, had to sacrifice hundreds of them in some farms.
Mink or deer are other animals that can also become carriers of such viruses.
It is also assumed that the deer could have become infected in very high percentagebecomes dangerous to humans. And all this in relation wild animals. If we turn to pets, dogs and cats have also been shown to be able to become infected, although their ability to become infectious seems to be limited.
One thing is clear: is it a matter of mice, or is it a question between bats, pangolins, minks or deer, the solution should not be to slaughter the animals. At least if there were no other resources before. And the most important thing we must never forget is prevention.
Being prepared for the emergence of new diseases, such as this vole’s coronavirus, is a good step. Once detected, the next step is to prevent their spread. And the latter is because we humans are careful about the animals we interact with in the wild. But above all, with what we eat. If it hasn’t passed a health check, it’s never a good idea to eat it, no matter how exotic it may seem.
Source: Hiper Textual
