Beijing: A study of over 450 animals in China has revealed dozens of new viruses and various types of infections, some of which pose a potential risk to humans.
A recent study published in Nature journal highlights the potential dangers of animals raised for their fur, food, and traditional medicine.
The study found multiple viruses in animals such as raccoons, minks, and bats, some of which carry risks of infecting humans.
According to the research, these animals could serve as reservoirs for emerging pathogens, potentially leading to a new global outbreak.
The study collected samples from 461 individual animals that had died due to disease on fur farms across China between 2021 and 2024.
The animals included minks, raccoons, foxes, pigs, and rabbits.
The research team examined the lungs, intestines, and other tissues of these animals for viral pathogens.
The study identified 125 different viruses, 36 of which were completely new.
More concerning was the discovery of 39 viruses deemed highly dangerous for transmission to other organisms, including humans.