Henipavirus in Northern Short-Tailed Shrew, Alabama, USA

Abstract

RNA metagenomic analysis of tissues from 4 wild-caught northern short-tailed shrews in Alabama, USA, revealed a novel henipavirus (family Paramyxoviridae). Phylogenetic analysis supported the placement of the virus within the shrew henipavirus clade, related to human-infecting shrewborne henipaviruses. Our study results highlight the presence of henipavirus infections in North America.

Keywords

• Henipavirus
• northern short-tailed shrew
• Blarina brevicauda
• Alabama
• viruses
• zoonoses