Newly identified coronavirus seems to be well established in Sweden’s red-backed vultures
Researchers from the Zoonosis Science Center at Uppsala University have identified a new coronavirus. Their study of about 260 bank voles caught around Grimsö, Örebro County, shows that the virus is well established in Sweden’s red-backed voles. The finding has been published in the journal Virus.
“Between 2015 and 2017, we consistently found what we have called the ‘Grimsö virus’ in 3.4 percent of these vultures, which would indicate that the virus is widespread and common in Sweden’s bank vultures,” says Åke Lundkvist, professor of virology and head of Zoonosis Science Center at Uppsala University, he led the study together with researcher Jiaxin Ling and Anishia Wasberg, doctoral student and first author.
Researchers from the Zoonosis Science Center, ZSC, are mapping zoonotic viruses to increase understanding of the interaction between viruses and host animals. Unlike SARS-CoV and MERS coronaviruses that originate in bats, seasonal coronaviruses, such as HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1, appear to have spread to humans from rodents such as rats, mice and voles. The goal is to increase knowledge and develop methods that can effectively limit major virus outbreaks and avoid the spread of infection from animals to humans.
In a new study published in the journal Virus, researchers from ZSC examined spines caught around Grimsö in Örebro County between 2015 and 2017 and tested them for coronavirus. Using an RNA sequencing method, they identified a new coronavirus known as the “Grimsö Virus” belonging to the beta-coronavirus family which also includes SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2.
Rodents already carry several zoonotic microorganisms, such as Hantavirus and Tularemia, which means that they play a key role in the spread of infectious diseases. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in infectious diseases that can be linked to small mammals, such as rodents, and research on the ecology of these host animals is an essential component in the work to prevent future outbreaks.
Banksorken (Myodes glareolus) is one of Europe’s most common rodents. Previous studies have found several coronaviruses circulating among animals in countries such as the United Kingdom, Poland, France and Germany.
We still do not know what potential threats the Grimsö virus can pose to public health. But based on our observations and previous coronaviruses identified among bank voles, there are good reasons to continue monitoring the coronavirus among wild rodents.. “
Åke Lundkvist, Professor, Uppsala University
Source:
Journal reference:
Wasberg, A., et al. (2022) Discovery of a new coronavirus in Swedish bankers (Myodes glareolus). Virus. https://doi.org/10.3390/v14061205