In China, scientists have discovered a minimum of 20 new viruses in bats, escalating significant worries that these may impact both livestock and humans in the future.
The group used genetic sequencing to discover 22 viruses in the kidney tissues of 142 bats. These were gathered from Yunnan province in China from 2017 to 2021. According to Newsweek, two of them share genetic similarities with Hendra and Nipah henipaviruses.
Both viruses may lead to brain inflammation and serious respiratory illness in humans, as reported by The Sun. The research revealed bacteria species and a parasite that had previously been unknown to science.
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This event occurred a few years following the COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed the lives of millions around the globe. We would like to remind you that the initial case of coronavirus was detected in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The center for research in Wuhan is recognized for studying viruses that originate in bats. Previously, it was also mentioned that this lab was the source of COVID-19 spreading globally.
Why the viruses may be dangerous?
Associate Professor Vinod Balasubramaniam, a molecular virologist at Monash University in Malaysia, noted that the viruses are particularly worrisome as they are mainly detected in bat kidneys, raising concerns that these viruses could be transmitted through their urine into water supplies and onto fruits.
The research team has cautioned that this henipavirus can transmit via bat urine. This raises the likelihood that bats might contaminate the fruits consumed by humans, thereby elevating the risk of their transmission.
The genetic code of the virus discovered in bats in China has been disclosed for the first time.
