This cat has gone viral.
A 7-year-old black cat named Pepper has inadvertently aided researchers at the University of Florida in uncovering a rare virus that has become a growing concern for human health.
Pepper often drops small animals at the feet of his owner, virologist John Rednicki, who has a unique arrangement with his feline friend. “He brings me these rodents, and I take them to the lab, where all the magic happens,” Rednicki explained.
One of Pepper’s recent “gifts” included an Everglades short-tailed shrew, which ended up in the lab in Gainesville.
The research team, led by Rednicki, found that this shrew was carrying a new strain of orthovirus, typically found in bats, deer, lions, and monkeys, and known for jumping across species. “We wouldn’t have discovered it without him,” Rednicki remarked proudly.
Interestingly, last year, kittens had already played a role in revealing a different virus, the Novel Jeilongvirus—a rodent-borne pathogen that can infect various species, with its first case in the U.S. linked to a dead mouse brought home by another cat.
Pepper’s latest contributions have led to the identification of three strains of orthovirus in mammals, noted by Emily Deluiter, a PhD student who co-authored the study. “I wish I could list him as a co-author,” Rednicki joked about Pepper’s pivotal role.
While infections in humans are generally mild, they can lead to serious issues such as meningitis or encephalitis in rare pediatric cases. The exact extent of the threat posed by these viruses remains unclear, partly due to limited study.
“We don’t know enough about this strain to determine if it poses a risk,” Deluiter added, mentioning it typically affects individuals with weakened immune systems.
Researchers have discovered that some strains have surfaced in unexpected locations, such as mink feed among lions in China and Japan, raising concerns about potential future mutations and transmission.
The team at UF continues to investigate the latest strains, aiming to better understand how they spread and their potential risks to humans.
