Scientists Warn These 2 Viruses Could Become The Next Pandemic

Experts say influenza D and canine coronavirus pose respiratory disease threats to humans, but more surveillance and testing is needed.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Infectious disease experts are warning that two animal-borne pathogens, influenza D virus and canine coronavirus, could become more widespread and potentially cause epidemics or pandemics if better surveillance and diagnostic testing are not implemented. The researchers say these viruses have already jumped to humans and caused severe respiratory illnesses in some cases, but the full extent of their impact is unknown due to lack of routine testing.

Why it matters

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the devastating impact a quickly transmitting virus can have without proper preparedness. Experts say influenza D and canine coronavirus bear the hallmarks of viruses primed to rapidly evolve and spread, potentially causing widespread human epidemics if not closely monitored and controlled.

The details

Influenza D is most common in cattle and pigs but has also been found in many other livestock and wildlife species. Up to 97% of people working with cattle in Colorado and Florida were found to carry influenza D antibodies, suggesting prior exposure. While influenza D has not been linked to serious infections in humans yet, scientists say it shows signs of evolving the capacity for human-to-human transmission. Canine coronavirus, or CCoV, is not the same as the virus that causes COVID-19, but it can infect humans and has been linked to pneumonia hospitalizations in Southeast Asia. A mutated strain called CCoV-HuPn-2018 has now been documented in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Arkansas, indicating it is spreading across continents.

  • In 2021, scientists reported the discovery of a new mutated strain of canine coronavirus, CCoV-HuPn-2018, in a hospitalized child in Malaysia.
  • In 2022, a study found the canine coronavirus strain HuCCoV_Z19Haiti in a medical team member who had traveled from Florida to Haiti in 2017.

The players

John Lednicky

A research professor in the Department of Environmental and Global Health at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions, and a member of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida's Gainesville campus.

Gregory Gray

The director of the One Health Research and Training Laboratory at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who led a team of scientists that reported the discovery of a new strain of canine coronavirus, CCoV-HuPn-2018, in 2021.

Shahbaz Salehi

An infection prevention and control specialist at Foothill Regional Medical Center in Tustin, California, and an editorial board member for Infection Control Today.

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What they’re saying

“If these viruses evolve the capacity to easily transmit person to person, they may be able to cause epidemics or pandemics since most people won't have immunity to them.”

— John Lednicky, Research professor (University of Florida)

“I would recommend that public health agencies require hospitals and clinics to participate in a unified, real-time information exchange platform. This platform would allow health care facilities to share critical operational data such as respiratory patient census, ICU capacity, staffing constraints, PPE and supply availability, and testing capability.”

— Shahbaz Salehi, Infection prevention and control specialist (Infection Control Today)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.