New catalog maps all 239 RNA viruses known to infect humans

By Blaise Cloran

Scientists are still discovering two to three new viruses capable of infecting humans each year—and warn "any one of them could cause the next pandemic."

The new major global study saw researchers compile a comprehensive catalog to date of human-infective viruses.

They identified 239 species and tracked when and where they first emerged, how they spread, and their potential to cause outbreaks.

Drawing on decades of scientific evidence, experts from the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Peking in China say the study suggests virus discovery is ongoing rather than slowing, and says this points to the need for sustained global surveillance and stronger preparedness against future infectious disease threats.

Earlier versions of the dataset flagged viruses such as Ebola and Zika years before they triggered major epidemics.

Researchers say the catalog also identified the Andes hantavirus as one to watch because of its outbreak potential.

Researchers say the dataset could help identify which viruses pose the greatest risk to public health, improve tracking of emerging diseases, and refine predictions about future outbreaks.

The updated dataset shows 90% of these viruses—215 species—are also found in nonhuman animals, which is the main source of new viruses.

Only a minority—60 virus species—are capable of sustained human-to-human transmission, including those responsible for epidemics and pandemics.

A further group can spread between people but has so far only caused limited outbreaks. These viruses, which include coronaviruses and relatives of Ebola, are the most worrying, experts say.

The catalog builds on earlier versions published in 2001 and 2018. Since then, more than 20 additional RNA virus species have been identified.

Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute, said: "New human-infective viruses are being discovered all the time. Any one of them could be Disease X – the cause of the next pandemic. Our database will help researchers characterize the threat and prepare for it."

The study was published in the journal Scientific Data.