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2h ago

Twenty New Bat Viruses Discovered in China, Two Related to Nipah and Hendra

Experts emphasize that further laboratory analysis is required to confirm whether the newly identified henipaviruses can infect other species.

New ‘brain-inflaming’ bat viruses have been found in China.
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From left: A greater bamboo bat; and an image of the Hendra virus.
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Overview

  • Researchers used advanced genetic sequencing on kidney samples from 142 bats collected between 2017 and 2021 in Yunnan province and identified 20 previously unknown viruses.
  • Two of the new viruses are henipaviruses detected in fruit bats roosting near village orchards, which raises concern about transmission via urine-contaminated fruit or water.
  • Henipaviruses related to Nipah and Hendra can cause severe encephalitis and respiratory disease in humans, with fatality rates of up to 70 percent.
  • Experts consider the current risk of spillover low but say laboratory studies are essential to determine whether the new henipaviruses can infect humans or livestock.
  • Scientists recommend intensified surveillance, enhanced biosecurity measures and ecological solutions such as protecting bat habitats to reduce future spillover events.