-
Study: New type of coronavirus found in bank voles
The Jerusalem Post reported that researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have found a new type of coronavirus in bank voles.
The peer-reviewed study, published on the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) on Wednesday, examined approximately 260 bank voles in Örebro County, Sweden, and showed that the "Grimsö Virus" is prevalent in rodents in that area.
Acording to the Wildlife Trusts, a bank vole (Myodes glareolus) is a type of rodent having reddish-brownish fur with some grey patches. Its tail is also roughly half the length of its body, which is approximately 4-6 centimeters long. Found in parks, hedgerows and gardens, they eat fruit, nuts and small insects.
The bank voles used in the study had been caught between 2015 and 2017.
Researchers at the university's Zoonosis Science Center studied the interaction of viruses transferred from animals to humans. The "Grimsö Virus" is considered to be a seasonal type of COVID-19, and can be passed to humans from rodents and mice.
Shanghai prepares to ease two-month COVID-19 curbs
Prof. Åke Lundkvist, head of the Zoonosis Science Center, said: "We still do not know what potential threats the Grimsö Virus may pose to public health. However, based on our observations and previous coronaviruses identified among bank voles, there is good reason to continue monitoring the coronavirus among wild rodents."
With infectious diseases linked to rodents on the rise, the research surrounding host animals is key to tackling future outbreaks.
Source: jpost
