Researchers at the University of Florida have identified influenza D virus and canine coronavirus as emerging pathogens with the potential to cause widespread human illness, prompting calls for increased surveillance and diagnostic development. The warning, published in the January issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, comes as public health officials continue to monitor other respiratory threats like avian influenza.
Influenza D virus, first discovered in 2011, has been detected in a range of livestock and wildlife, including pigs, cattle, deer, giraffes, and kangaroos, according to the University of Florida team. The virus is believed to contribute to bovine respiratory disease, costing the U.S. Cattle industry an estimated $1 billion annually. Studies conducted by the researchers in Colorado and Florida revealed that up to 97% of individuals working directly with cattle herds carried antibodies for influenza D, indicating prior exposure. While current infections appear to be asymptomatic, scientists note the virus exhibits characteristics suggesting a capacity for rapid evolution.
“Our review of the literature indicates these two viruses pose respiratory disease threats to humans, yet little has been done to respond to or prevent infection from these viruses,” said John Lednicky, a research professor in the Department of Environmental and Global Health at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions. “If these viruses evolve the capacity to easily transmit person to person, they may be able to cause epidemics or pandemics since most people won’t have immunity to them.”
Canine coronavirus (CCoV) represents a second potential threat. The virus has been linked to human infections, including cases of pneumonia in Southeast Asia and respiratory illness in Arkansas, demonstrating its ability to spread across continents. A strain of influenza D in China has also reportedly developed the ability to transmit between humans, raising further concerns about its potential for global spread.
The researchers emphasize the demand for improved virus monitoring, more reliable testing methods, and increased investment in the development of treatments and vaccines. The warning echoes concerns raised earlier this month by scientists who noted the lack of diagnostic tools and surveillance for both influenza D and canine coronavirus, despite their potential to cause significant outbreaks. Some funders, however, have expressed skepticism regarding the severity of the threat posed by influenza D, according to recent reports.
The emergence of these viruses adds to the existing burden of respiratory disease surveillance, which already includes ongoing monitoring of avian influenza (H5N1) and its potential to evolve into a human-transmissible form. The CDC published a perspective article in the same journal issue detailing emerging respiratory virus threats from influenza D and canine coronavirus, highlighting the need for proactive measures to prevent future pandemics.
