Two Viruses That Could Trigger the Next Global Pandemic

As the world continues to recover from the aftershocks of COVID-19, and the latest scare of the Nipah virus, scientists are quietly signaling concern over two overlooked pathogens that could pose the next major global health challenge: influenza D virus and canine coronavirus. Both originate in animals, both have crossed into humans, and both are developing in ways that could complicate our preparedness for future outbreaks.According to infectious-disease researchers writing in Emerging Infectious Diseases, these viruses have the potential to spread more widely among people if current surveillance and diagnostic practices don’t catch up. The report has been published wherein the co-author John Lednicky, Ph.D., explains, "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."

The Slow Rise of Influenza D

Influenza D was first identified in 2011. Initially linked to pigs and cattle, it has since surfaced in a surprising array of species, poultry, deer, giraffes, kangaroos, and more. In the cattle industry, it is believed to contribute to bovine respiratory disease, a costly problem responsible for roughly $1 billion in losses annually.Read More: Why a ‘Normal’ Angiogram Can Miss a Silent, Dangerous Heart AttackHuman exposure, however, is where things get interesting. Studies of cattle workers in Colorado and Florida show that up to 97% have antibodies to the virus, meaning these workers have already been exposed despite not displaying symptoms. That lack of symptoms does not lessen the concern. Lednicky notes that "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."Researchers have reason to keep a close watch. A strain recently isolated in China appears capable of human-to-human transmission, suggesting the virus is already adapting in meaningful ways. Lednicky adds another important note: "So far, influenza D virus has not been associated with serious infections in humans," but that statement might not hold forever if the virus continues to change.

The Hidden Spread of Canine Coronavirus

Canine coronavirus (CCoV), distinct from SARS-CoV-2, has traditionally been considered a virus affecting dogs. In recent years, however, it has shown the ability to infect humans, and in some cases, those infections have been linked to pneumonia and respiratory illness.One notable case was uncovered by Lednicky’s team in 2021, involving a medical worker who contracted a new strain (HuCCoV_Z19Haiti) after traveling from Florida to Haiti. Another strain, CCoV-HuPn-2018, was later identified in a hospitalized child in Malaysia. That same strain has since been found in Thailand, Vietnam, and the U.S., suggesting it is already spanning continents.

A Familiar Warning

The researchers behind the latest review emphasise that their knowledge about both viruses remains limited. As they write, "Our knowledge of the viruses' epidemiology and clinical manifestations is limited to a modest number of research studies. Even so, the limited data regarding these novel, newly detected viruses indicate that they are a major threat to public health."It’s a reminder the world has heard before: if a virus gains efficient human-to-human transmission before surveillance is ready, an outbreak can escalate faster than health systems can contain it. Strengthened monitoring, better diagnostics, and early vaccine research could make all the difference, but only if action begins now.Read More: Parkinson’s Disease Warning Signs: Unlikely Symptoms That Show Up Years Before Diagnosis