Beijing: Scientists have presented an updated list of RNA viruses capable of infecting humans, according to Qazinform News Agency.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, a study conducted by an international team of scientists from China and the United Kingdom identified 239 RNA viruses worldwide by the end of 2024. This updated catalogue includes viruses recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) and reflects an increase of 25 viruses since the previous list in 2018. More than 20 of these are new species identified in recent years.

The study indicates that the majority of these viruses originate from animals, with approximately 62% transmitted to humans from animals and not spreading between people. Notably, 60 of these viruses are capable of causing epidemics or sustaining circulation in human populations. A different group of 32 viruses can be transmitted between humans but have thus far resulted only in limited outbreaks. This categorization underscores several levels of epidemic potential, from strictly zoonotic viruses to those capable of large-scale outbreaks.

The analysis further reveals that a significant portion of these viruses is transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, accounting for about 43% of known species. Additionally, many viruses can spread through multiple routes, including airborne transmission, direct contact, and biological fluids.

The global distribution of these discoveries spans nearly every continent. The Americas reported the highest number of new viruses with 99 species, followed by Eurasia with 81, Africa and the Middle East with 43, and Oceania with 16.