According to a study conducted by an international team of scientists from China and the United Kingdom, there were 239 such viruses worldwide by the end of 2024.
The updated catalogue includes viruses recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
Compared to the previous 2018 version, the number has increased by 25, including more than 20 new species identified in recent years.
The study shows that the vast majority of these viruses originate from animals.
About 62% are transmitted to humans from animals and do not spread between people.
At the same time, 60 viruses are capable of causing epidemics or circulating sustainably in human populations.
A separate group includes 32 viruses that can be transmitted between humans....
