As soon as the virus was isolated, scientists discovered that it is capable of multiplying in the cells of both animals and humans, indicating the potential for the development of disease in people exposed to contamination from fecally contaminated rodents. Previously, it was believed that these viruses only affected rodents, but recently they have been found in bats and cats. Sometimes this virus appears in homes from Texas to Florida and Virginia, but it primarily spreads indoors. Studies show that another group of rodent viruses, such as the Hantavirus, annually affects about 30 Americans and causes symptoms such as nausea, fever, and difficulty breathing.
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The alarming information came from the fact that the virus found in the state of Florida belongs to the same family of viruses that cause hantavirus and can become a threat to humans, reports the British newspaper Daily Mail. The results of the studies raised questions about other zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
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It should be noted that the white-footed mouse is a type of mouse that inhabits the woods, forests, fields, and sandy dunes in the southeastern United States. This suggests that the virus can be transmitted to other species, including humans, according to researchers. At this moment, scientists have not been able to determine whether the new virus can cause disease in humans, but viruses of this genus usually cause severe respiratory diseases, such as cough, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath, although they are not known to be fatal.
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John Lidenki, known as a Piper, usually works with white-footed mice in his laboratory. He decided to conduct further testing in his lab. With the help of tests, he discovered a new type of virus, the Jilong, which evolved from existing strains in Africa, Asia, and South America. The new virus was named "Jilong 1".