For the first time, a potentially fatal virus has been found in the United States.

Scientists in Alabama discovered the Camp Hill virus in shrews, raising concerns that it can spread to people through animal reservoirs and result in a potentially widespread outbreak.

The Camp Hill virus is a member of the henipavirus family of infections, which also includes the Nipah virus, which is spread by bats and can kill up to 70% of its victims. However, no human case of the Camp Hill virus has ever been documented, and experts are unsure of the symptoms and fatality rate.

The Langya virus, which spread from shrews to humans in China, is the virus that infects people closest to Camp Hill. It results in renal damage, liver dysfunction, fever, exhaustion, coughing, and muscle aches.

Dr Rhys Parry from the University of Queensland, who confirmed the virus’ presence in Alabama shrews, said: “This indicates that shrew-to-human transmission can occur.”

“The discovery of a henipavirus in North America is highly significant, as it suggests these viruses may be more globally distributed than previously thought.”