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According to researchers, cats could transmit a new zoonosis capable of infecting humans – called Feline Morbillivirus.
Zoonoses are diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, and vice versa. They are subject to special virological monitoring and for good reason: they can cause a lot of damage, like the “Feline Morbillivirus” – responsible for chronic renal failure.
A virus from the same family as measles
The virus (FeMV), first discovered in stray cats in Hong Kong a decade ago, has now been spotted in domestic cats in Europe. However, it is suspected of causing chronic renal failure in our feline friends… but also of infecting humans.
Reasons why virologists at the University of Pittsburgh Vaccine Research Center carried out research on this subject.
“Feline morbillivirus has remained under the radar for many years. But we are now able to shed light on its link to chronic kidney disease in cats and better understand how we can stop transmission and the potential impact on human populations.s,” revealed one of the lead authors, Professor Paul Duprex, director of the Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh, in a communicated.
Scientists discovered that FeMV enters cells by binding to a surface protein receptor – called CD150 – in the same way as measles. People vaccinated against measles would therefore be protected against infection. On the other hand, the others must redouble their attention.
Another interesting observation: the virus seems to also spread via human urine, in the same way as the zoonotic Nipah virus, which originated in Asia. However, researchers have not been able to decipher the symptoms of this disease in humans.
They have nevertheless discovered a potential treatment for the disease, by inhibiting a class of enzymes, called cathepsins. A remedy that could allow “prevent an epidemic“, conclude the researchers.