Ranking of the most dangerous zoonotic viruses. Can they trigger another pandemic?

Proven content

The whole world is currently focused on fighting the coronavirus pandemic. However, according to scientists, there is still a danger of another epidemic caused by an animal virus. Therefore, a ranking has been created that includes several hundred pathogens with the highest risk of spreading. Perhaps it will allow better preparation for the next global cataclysm.

1. Scientists from the United States and Canada have compiled a list of the most dangerous zoonotic viruses
2. Interestingly, SARS-CoV-2, causing COVID-19, was not at the top of the list
3. The risk of new diseases and another epidemic from human behavior is high, warn the authors of the study
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

The most dangerous zoonotic viruses

There are about 500 in the world. zoonotic viruses that can spread to humans. Scientists already warned that there could be an epidemic of the SARS or MERS coronavirus a few years ago. Now that the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has hit the globe, scientists from the United States and Canada have compiled a list of the most dangerous viruses of animal origin.

The interactive ranking (you can find it HERE) was based on 509 thousand. 721 samples taken from 74 thousand. 635 animals. A total of 887 viruses were classified. Several dozen different factors were taken into account, the most important of which was the ability to transfer the virus from animal to human and from person to person.

– Our tool is designed to assess the risk of spreading newly discovered viruses. Unfortunately, the risk of new diseases and another pandemic from human behavior is high. Therefore, we must start acting now. The tool allows you to create a personalized list for a specific country or type of virus. So we can be prepared for the next epidemic – perhaps we can minimize the number of potential victims and control it at the source, said Jonna Mazet, professor of epidemiology at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

1. Are we facing another pandemic?

The leaders include, among others Ebola virus, SARS-CoV-2, Nipah virus, rabies virus or hepatitis E virus. Interestingly, the virus that causes COVID-19 was only in second place on the list. The Lassa virus was classified at the forefront. Why did this happen? As the authors explain, key information on SARS-CoV-2, such as the number and range of animal species that host it, is still missing.

The most dangerous zoonotic viruses – ranking

What are the top 10 viruses in this ranking?

1. Lassa virus, from the arenavirus family.
2. Virus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Ebola virus, causing hemorrhagic fever. Discovered in 1976, in 2013-2016 caused the death of over 11 people in West Africa.
4. Seoul virus, belongs to the group of hantaviruses. It is spread mainly by rodents, bats and insectivores, and causes two syndromes – hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
5. Nipah virus, belonging to this group, measles, mumps and parainfluenza cowiruses. It is mainly transmitted through direct contact with infected bats or pigs and their secretions. The virus causes encephalitis with a fatality rate of 45 to 75 percent.
6. Hepatitis E virus, carriers are domestic animals such as pigs. Hepatitis E is most common in Asia, India and Africa.
7. Marburg virus, similar to Ebola also causes hemorrhagic fever. The first cases of infection occurred in 1967 in Marburg, Frankfurt am Main and Belgrade, and the source of the virus were green vervets brought from Uganda.
8. Virus SARS-CoV, from the coronavirus family, it is the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
9. The monkey immunodeficiency virus, known as SIV. It causes infections in several dozen species of African primates. The derivative of SIV is HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus.
10. Rabies virus, spread by free-living animals, mainly bats, foxes and skunks. It causes an infectious disease that is very dangerous for humans, causes the death of about 60 people every year, mainly due to respiratory failure.

Lassa virus – the most dangerous of animal viruses

Lassa virus is spread by rodents and causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever. The virus is found in West African countries and was first discovered in 1969 in the Nigerian city of Lassa.

1. Viruses the world is struggling with right now

In 80 percent. of cases, the disease is asymptomatic, in the remaining 20 percent. cases can cause facial swelling, inflammation and bleeding from the conjunctiva, nausea, diarrhea, hypertension, hepatitis, cough, and meningitis. The number of Lassa virus infections is estimated at 300-500 thousand. annually. is responsible for about 5 thousand. deaths each year.

A vaccine against this virus has not yet been developed.

Also read:

1. How many people in Poland died after the COVID-19 vaccine? Government data
2. More and more young patients in hospitals due to COVID-19
3. Doctors tell you how to know if COVID-19 has left traces in your body
4. Types of COVID-19 Vaccines. How is vector different from mRNA vaccine? [WE EXPLAIN]

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.