Published6 days agoSharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesScientists are tracking a new, animal-derived virus in eastern China that has infected at least several dozen people.The novel Langya henipavirus (LayV) was found in 35 patients in the Shandong and Henan provinces. Many had symptoms such as fever, fatigue and a cough. They are thought to have contracted the virus from animals. There is no evidence so far LayV can transmit among humans.Researchers detected the virus predominantly in shrews.The discovery was highlighted in a letter written by researchers from China, Singapore and Australia and published in the New England Journal of Medicine this month.One of the researchers, Wang Linfa from the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, told China’s state-run Global Times that the cases of LayV found so far have not been fatal or very serious, so there is “no need to panic”. However, Mr Wang said, there is still a need to be alert as many viruses that exist in nature have unpredictable results when they infect humans.The scientists said LayV was found in 27% of shrews tested, suggesting the mole-like mammals may be “natural reservoirs” for the virus. About 5% of dogs and 2% of goats also tested positive for it. Taiwan’s Center for Disease Control said on Sunday it was paying “close attention” to the development of LayV.Why are we catching more diseases from animals?More outbreaks if we keep exploiting wildlife – UNBat scientists find new coronavirus evidenceLayV is a type of henipavirus, a category of zoonotic viruses which can jump from animals to humans.Zoonotic viruses are very common but have attracted more attention since the start of the Covid pandemic.The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention said scientists estimate that three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals.The United Nations had previously warned the world will see more of such diseases with increased exploitation of wildlife and climate change.Some zoonotic viruses can be potentially fatal to humans. These include the Nipah virus which has periodic outbreaks among animals and humans in Asia, and the Hendra virus which was first detected in horses in Australia.Other related henipaviruses have also been found in shrews, as well as bats and rodents.You may also be interested in: This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.More on this storyCovid origin studies say evidence points to market26 JulyCoronavirus: This is not the last pandemic6 June 2020

Published3 hours agoSharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesNew Zealand’s borders are fully open for the first time since March 2020, when they shut in an effort to keep out Covid-19.Immigration authorities will now begin accepting visitors with visas and those on student visas again. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it an “enormous moment”, adding it was part of a “cautious process”. Most visitors will still need to be fully vaccinated, but there are no quarantine requirements. The country’s maritime border has also reopened, with cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts now allowed to dock.New Zealand first announced a phased reopening plan in February. It allowed vaccinated citizens to return from Australia that month, and those coming from elsewhere to return in March. In May, it started welcoming tourists from more than 50 countries on a visa-waiver list.”We, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe,” said Ms Ardern in a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday.”But keeping people safe extends to incomes and wellbeing too.”How New Zealand went ‘hard and early’ to beat Covid-19New Zealand unveils border reopening planTourism was one of the industries hardest hit by New Zealand’s tough Covid measures.In the year ending March 2021, the industry’s contribution to the GDP dropped to 2.9%, from 5.5% the year before.International tourism took an especially big hit, plunging 91.5% – or NZ$16.2bn ($10.2bn; £8.4bn) – to NZ$1.5bn, according to official data. The number of people directly employed in tourism also fell by over 72,000 during this period.You may also be interested in: This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.More on this storyUK and New Zealand expand working holiday visas1 JulyNew Zealand’s plan to tax cow and sheep burps9 JuneNew Zealand protesters inspired by Canada blockade9 February