Newly identified Langya virus tracked after China reports dozens of cases

The Langya virus was detected in Shandong and Henan, China, in late 2018. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock

Researchers have begun tracking a newly identified virus in China, with dozens of cases recorded so far.

The novel Langya henipavirus (LayV) was first detected in the north-eastern provinces of Shandong and Henan in late 2018 but was only formally identified by scientists last week.