Beijing: A study conducted on more than 450 animals in China has revealed dozens of new viruses and different types of infections. Among these infections are some that pose a risk of spreading to humans.
A study recently published in the journal Nature highlighted the potential dangers of animals raised for fur, food and traditional medicine.
The study found several viruses in animals such as raccoon, mink and chameleon (commonly raised for their fur), some of which carried the risk of infecting humans.
Research suggests these animals may serve as a breeding ground for emerging pathogens with the potential for a new global pandemic.
In the study, scientists collected samples from 461 individual animals that died from disease at fur farms across China between 2021 and 2024. These animals included minks, rooks, foxes, pigs and rabbits.
The team of researchers examined tissues from the lungs, intestines and other organs of these animals to look for viral pathogens.
The study revealed 125 different viruses, of which 36 were completely new. More worryingly, among them were 39 viruses that have been identified as highly dangerous to other organisms, including those that can be transmitted to humans.
