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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.