The Risk of Cross-Species Virus Transmission: What Does it Mean for Smaller Species?
In a study recently published in the journal Nature, scientists have discovered a mechanism that allows viruses to jump from one species to another, even species that are very distantly related. This finding could have far-reaching implications for the prevention of pandemics caused by cross-species virus transmission.
The study focused on the transmission of viruses between small mammals, such as mice and voles. Researchers found that when the virus was transmitted from one species to another, it underwent a process of adaptation and evolution, allowing it to become more infectious in its new host species. This suggests that viruses can become more infectious in a new species even if they have not adapted to it before.
source: Phys.org