A new virus, called Langya henipavirus, has been detected in northeastern China and has many concerned about its possible spread and impact. Early reports indicate that at least 35 people have been infected by the respiratory henipavirus that spreads primarily from shrews but is also found in dogs and goats. Authorities do not yet know whether human-to-human transmission can occur.

China has discovered a new Langya virus within its borders, with 35 people already infected. https://t.co/c3Bfd2LEQZ

— TMZ (@TMZ) August 9, 2022

The coronavirus began similarly as a “zoonotic” (originating in animals) virus that jumped to humans. Many viruses in the past have spread this way, but studies show that climate change is likely increasing the risk of this kind of transmission as animals lose habitat areas and move closer to humans.

People online, who have lived through nearly three years of various COVID strains and now monkeypox, posted memes about their exhaustion at possibly facing another dangerous plague.

“China has discovered a new Langya virus”

Me @ my breaking point:pic.twitter.com/X9TpLODbZY

— 🌙✨ (@diettrade) August 9, 2022

Me receiving the Langya vaccine 4 pandemics later https://t.co/3LCqh3jlIN pic.twitter.com/Gy5mpiigiR

— King David 🎭 (@Sephzm) August 10, 2022

A lot of posts about the new virus seem to come from India, which, like the United States, has significant tensions with China. As with the coronavirus, which also originated in China, a political spin is already impacting the way people read news of the Langya virus. The first Hindi meme below (in English) reads: "Brother Don't Take Tension, Nothing's Going To Work Out." The second: "Let Me Catch My Breath." The third: "Does anyone have any idea about any poisons that don't hurt on the way down?"

35 #Langyavirus cases reported in China
After covid now this😶

China exists
Viruses be like: pic.twitter.com/LlVLxj84Yj

— Shruti (@kadak_chai_) August 10, 2022

#Langyavirus#China to whole world: pic.twitter.com/JRahLfLgfO

— maheshprasad Upadhya (@maheshUpadhya1) August 10, 2022

Newly identified Langya virus tracked after China reports dozens of cases🤦‍♂️😆😅😂🤣
Kisi ko kisi bina dard vale jahar ke bare m kuch idea h kya?🙈😆😅😂🤣
#Langyavirus

— Gyan Jara Hatke (@gyanjarahatke) August 10, 2022

Like with COVID, some are already posting about how they believe the Langya virus was cooked up in a lab as a bioweapon by the Chinese government.

Recently, PLA scientists Wei Liu, LiQun Fang and “Bat Man” LinFa Wang (Master of Batwoman in WIV) FOUND a new “zoonotic” virus Langya, which is potentially lethal and infected 35 people in 🇨🇳?
Meanwhile, Wei Liu is awarded by CCP & a special video was promoted to praise her work! pic.twitter.com/pxukW9Wohs

— Dr. Li-Meng YAN (@DrLiMengYAN1) August 9, 2022

Others imagined how the coronavirus might react to the presence of a new kid on the block.

Corona virus when Langya virus walks in the room pic.twitter.com/1FrRKbq6sr

— Gian (@ElusiveCaboose) August 9, 2022

Similar to reactions about the coronavirus, the confusion and powerlessness some posters felt around the Langya virus led them to lash out at others.

the Langya virus doesn’t have a Twitter account so I blocked Lady Gaga instead https://t.co/BQRPyLglDU pic.twitter.com/UaJzHqi7bO

— 𝐊𝐎𝐙𝐘✯ (@unbrkbIeheaven) August 9, 2022