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Common cold virus originated in camels, study shows
camel
"Our current study gives us a warning sign regarding the risk of a MERS pandemic - because MERS could perhaps do what HCoV-229E did."
Scientists concerned about the potential for a MERS pandemic
 
New research suggests that one of the four human coronaviruses that cause common colds originated in camels.

The discovery has prompted fears over a potential pandemic of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a deadly coronavirus that also originated in camels and was identified in humans for the first time in 2012.

'HCoV-229E' is one of four human coronaviruses that cause common colds. While infection with the virus is generally harmless to humans, researchers say its global spread through human-to-human transmission could now be cause for concern.

Professor Christian Drosten from the University Hospital of Bonn in Germany said: "Our current study gives us a warning sign regarding the risk of a MERS pandemic - because MERS could perhaps do what HCoV-229E did."

Led by Prof Drosten, the research team examined around 1,000 camels for coronaviruses and were surprised to find pathogens related to HCoV-229E in nearly six per cent of cases. Further analysis indicated the virus was transmitted from camels to humans.

The common cold viruses isolated from camels were also able to enter human cells through the same receptor used by HCoV-229E. However, the human immune system can protect itself against the camel viruses and further testing indicated there is no immediate risk of an epidemic in humans, as the majority of the human population has immunity.

But Prof Drosten said the MERS virus "is a strange pathogen".

"Smaller, regionally restricted outbreaks, for example in hospitals, keep occurring. Fortunately, the virus has not adapted well enough to humans, and has consequently been unable to spread globally up to now."

Based on their findings, the team say there is a need for action and they are working to develop a vaccine against MERS, which will go into clinical testing next year.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
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Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.