Scientists discover 20 new bat viruses in China, raising concerns
Scientists have found 20 new viruses in bats in China, with one closely related to deadly viruses like Hendra and Nipah. The discovery highlights the need for increased surveillance and biosecurity measures to prevent potential spillover into humans or livestock.
Scientists have called for intensified surveillance and biosecurity measures after the discovery of 20 new viruses within bats in China.
One of the pathogens is now the closest-known relative of Hendra and Nipah viruses, which cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans and have mortality rates between 40 and 80 per cent.
The findings raise urgent concerns about the risk of the newly discovered viruses spilling into humans or livestock because the bats were captured in orchards close to villages, the authors of the PLOS Pathogens study said.
The viruses were found in kidneys, so there’s a theoretical route for infection to spread through bat urine.
According to the source: The Sydney Morning Herald.
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