Chinese scientists discovered two new viruses in bats that are dangerous to humans
Molecular biologists have discovered two previously unknown viruses in bats, similar to the pathogens of Hendra and Nipah fever, in the southern Chinese Province of Yunnan, TASS reports
The study was published in the PLoS Pathogens journal. Scientists from the Sun Yat-sen University studied the kidney tissues of 142 bats captured in 2017-2021 in the caves near the Yunnan Province orchards.
During the analysis, the experts isolated the DNA and RNA of the pathogens and established that bats have 22 viruses from 12 families at once, as well as several types of bacteria and protozoa. At the same time, 90 percent of the identified viruses turned out to be new to science.
Among them are two viruses designated YBH1 and YBH2, which showed high similarity to the Hendra and Nipah viruses. These pathogens have already caused local outbreaks in Australia and Southeast Asia.
“During this analysis, we identified two pathogens very close to the Hendra and Nipah viruses, the penetration of which into populations of domestic animals or humans can lead to serious consequences,” the authors of the study noted.
Biologists stressed the importance of constant monitoring of the circulation of such viruses and their potential threat to public health.
