Coronavirus in Rodents: Scientists discover new coronavirus strain in rodents in Sweden- Should we be alarmed?

 Coronavirus in Rodents: Scientists discover new coronavirus strain in rodents in Sweden- Should we be alarmed?

Coronavirus in Rodents: A team of scientists in Sweden have identified a new coronavirus normally  found in red-backed voles, small dark grey rodents similar to field mice.

The study was conducted by a team from the Zoonosis Science Center at Uppsala University and the findings were produce in the scientific journal-Viruses. The head of the centre, Ake Lundkvist said, "Between 2015 and 2017, we in tune found what we have called the 'Grimso Virus' in 3.4 per cent of these voles, and that would advice that the virus is widespread and common in Sweden's bank voles." 

The study covered all over 260 bank voles caught around Grimso, in Orebro sector in Sweden. The study shows that the coronavirus is well began in the red-backed voles. 

The Study: Key Highlights 

• The research team mapped zoonotic viruses to increase the understanding of the synergy between viruses and host animals. 
• The research team found that seasonal coronaviruses such as HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1 appear to have spread to humans from rodents involve  voles, mice and rats. 
• This strain of coronavirus is distant from SARS-CoV and MERS coronaviruses, and that  originate in bats.
• The research team spot a new coronavirus strain known as aGrimso Virus using an RNA sequencing method. The coronavirus strain belongs to betacoronavirus family that also includes SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2. 
• The rodents carry several zoonotic microorganisms including Tularemia and Hantaviruses, and that  means that they play a key role in how infectious diseases are spread. 

Should we be alarmed?

The research team's lead scientist Ake Lundkvist said that they still do not know what likely threats the Grimso Virus may pose to public fitness . He even so , said that based on their survey and previous coronaviruses identified among bank voles, "there is good reason to carry watch the coronavirus amongst wild rodents."  

Background

There has been an panic increase in catching diseases linked to small mammals such as rodents in recent years. Hence, research around the ecology of these host animals is essential to prevent future outbreaks.