Scientists discover 20 new viruses in Chinese bats, could spread to humans
The scientists used genetic testing to identify viruses, bacteria, and even a new parasite -- all previously unknown to science.WHY THESE FINDINGS MATTERSome of the newly found viruses were present in the bats' kidneys. This is especially worrying because the kidneys produce urine, which can contaminate fruit or water if bats urinate near orchards or water sources.People or animals who eat or drink the contaminated items could then be at risk of infection.
The scientists used genetic testing to identify viruses, bacteria, and even a new parasite -- all previously unknown to science. ()
"These viruses are particularly concerning because they were predominantly found in bat kidneys, raising alarm about potential human exposure via contaminated fruits or water," said molecular virologist Professor Vinod Balasubramaniam from Monash University in Australia.advertisementThe two newly discovered henipaviruses have been named Yunnan bat henipavirus 1 and 2. They share about 52% to 57% of their genetic material with the known and deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses.In past outbreaks, these viruses have caused severe brain infections and high death rates in both people and animals.WHERE WERE THESE BATS FOUND?The bats in this study were discovered roosting near fruit orchards close to villages in rural Yunnan. This raises the risk that their urine could contaminate fruits that people or farm animals could eat, increasing the chance of a virus jumping from bats to humans, a process called spillover.WHY STUDY BAT KIDNEYS?Earlier research on bat viruses focused on bat feces. But this study looked inside the bats, especially their kidneys, to find out what kinds of viruses and microbes live there.
Two new viruses found share about 52% to 57% of their genetic material with the known and deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses. ()
Scientists say that this area of bat biology is not well studied, even though kidneys could play a big role in how diseases are spread.advertisementBats are known to carry many viruses that can infect people. In fact, bats have been linked to the spread of diseases like Ebola, SARS, MERS, and even Covid-19.These viruses can reach humans either directly or through other animals, often through food or water contaminated by bat waste.OTHER NEW ORGANISMS FOUNDIn addition to the 22 viruses (20 of them completely new), the scientists also found:A new single-celled parasite, now named Klossiella yunnanensisTwo common bacterial species, including one that has never been described before, now called Flavobacterium yunnanensis
Bats are known to carry many viruses that can infect people.
These discoveries show that bats can carry a wide mix of micro-organisms many of which we still don't understand.WHAT THIS MEANS GOING FORWARDThe scientists say their findings show why it's important to study the full range of microbes inside bats, not just the ones in their droppings.Understanding what lives in bat organs like kidneys can help scientists better predict and prevent future disease outbreaks.advertisementBalasubramaniam said the Yunnan region has a climate similar to areas where Nipah outbreaks have happened before, like Malaysia. This makes it even more important to keep a close watch on wildlife in the area.Experts believe more studies like this are needed to monitor the spread of new viruses in animals before they have a chance to reach humans.- Ends
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Nipah virus in Kerala: Over 400 under surveillance, containment zone declared; One critical, one dead
Kerala Health Minister Veena George has confirmed that 425 individuals have been placed on the Nipah virus contact list across the state. Malappuram district has reported the highest number of contacts at 228, followed by 110 in Palakkad and 87 in Kozhikode. Among those identified, one person has tested negative. Health authorities have launched extensive surveillance and containment measures in response. What is Nipah virus and where it started Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly fatal zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. It causes acute encephalitis, respiratory distress, and in many cases, death. The virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 and has since led to multiple deadly outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia. Kerala has experienced six such outbreaks, making it the most Nipah-affected state in India. The state's first outbreak in 2018 occurred in Perambra, Kozhikode, and resulted in 17 deaths, including that of nurse Lini Puthussery, who contracted the virus while treating the index patient. Investigations later confirmed that fruit bats , also known as flying foxes, were the likely source. Nipah virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals such as pigs, consumption of fruits or palm sap contaminated by fruit bats, and human-to-human transmission via bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Nipah virus symptoms and precautions Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, seizures, coma, and encephalitis. There is currently no vaccine for Nipah virus, and treatment is primarily supportive. Live Events The Health Department has advised the public to stay alert, avoid consuming fruits bitten by bats, and to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms occur. Containment measures underway in affected districts In Malappuram district, field operations are focused on tracing the source of the outbreak and halting further spread. Surveillance has been conducted in 20 wards across the panchayats of Makkaraparamba, Kuruva, Koottilangadi, and Mankada. A total of 65 teams visited 1,655 households for door-to-door awareness and contact tracing. The survey was led by Dr N.N. Pameela, with support from C.K. Suresh Kumar, M. Shahul Hameed, and epidemiologist Dr Kiran Raj. The team's report has been submitted to District Medical Officer Dr Renuka. In Palakkad, one individual is in isolation while 61 healthcare workers have been identified as close contacts. The health department has opted for local isolation with samples sent for testing. A three-kilometre radius around the patient's house has been declared a containment zone, with strict surveillance being carried out by the district collector and district police chief, said Kerala's Health minister to PTI. A Malappuram native, had succumbed to the virus last week as reported by PTI. In Kozhikode, all 87 individuals on the contact list are healthcare professionals who may have been exposed during treatment or response activities. Coordination efforts and resource deployment Route maps of confirmed cases in Palakkad and Malappuram have been released to support contact tracing and raise public awareness. Ambulance services, including the Kaniv 108 fleet, have been placed on standby. Fever surveillance in the affected regions has also been strengthened. The Health Minister stressed the importance of providing psychological support to individuals under observation. Fruit bats are once again suspected to be the source of the virus. A high-level review meeting chaired by Veena George was convened in the district. The session included senior officials such as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the NHM State Mission Director, the Director of Medical Education, Additional Directors, District Collectors, District Medical Officers, police officials, and representatives from other departments.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Sudden heart attack deaths among people under age of 45 declared notifiable in Karnataka
All sudden heart attack deaths among the young (aged below 45 years) in Karnataka will now have to be notified to the Health Department. On July 7, the Health Department declared sudden heart attack deaths among people below the age of 45 as 'notifiable' on the basis of a recommendation by the expert committee that was set up to study the link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden cardiovascular events. The committee is headed by K. S. Ravindranath, Director the State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru. Amid mounting public anxiety over the rising trend of sudden cardiovascular events (heart attack, sudden cardiac death) post-COVID-19 pandemic, the Karnataka government had in February this year set up the expert committee to evaluate the temporal and potential causal links with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination. The committee has not found any association between premature cardiovascular disease and a prior history of COVID-19 infection or COVID vaccination. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who made the announcement on July 7 after a meeting to discuss the recommendations of the expert committee, said the government of Karnataka would start monitoring sudden heart attack deaths reported among those below the age of 45. 'Any such deaths that occur outside a hospital will have to be mandatorily reported to the Department. Following the committee's recommendations, we will now make the autopsy of all such deaths compulsory to ascertain the cause of death. Directions in this regard will be issued soon,' the Minister said. Pointing out that the observational study by the State's expert panel as well as several published international studies had not found any link between COVID vaccination and cardiovascular events, the Minister stated, 'In fact, COVID vaccination has been shown to be protective against cardiac events in the long term. The only complaints are with regard to mRNA vaccines that have been known to cause myocarditis in some cases. However, mRNA vaccines have not been used in our country,' he said. The Minister said, 'We will start screening of congenital heart defects in school children aged 15 and above. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency procedure that is done when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, will be provided to the general public through NGOs and like-minded organisations. We will also start annual basic health screening for all government employees, including outsourced and contract staff,' Mr. Rao said. Pointing out that all corporate and private companies will be directed to mandatorily provide annual health screening for their employees, the Minister said, 'We are also screening people for non-communicable diseases through our 'Gruha Arogya'' scheme. We will soon discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on what further health benefits can be given to our employees,' he said. He said the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Yojane - that is currently being implemented in 86 government hospitals - will soon be extended to all taluks. In 2023, the Health Department named Karnataka's heart attack (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction - STEMI) management project at taluk level as Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme. The project launched to avoid delay in providing diagnosis and treatment to heart attack patients in rural areas is being implemented on a 'hub and spoke' model. AEDs in public places The Minister said the process of installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places, including bus stands, railway stations, airports, the Vidhana Soudha, courts, etc. will be expedited. 'Although we had announced this earlier, there were some hitches as we need trained personnel to use these devices. We will again explore possibilities of deploying trained personnel from the nearest health facilities in designated public places wherever possible and start providing this service soon,' he said. Dr Ravindranath said post-COVID there was a significant rise in the prevalence of common risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease. 'Our study has not found any single cause behind the observed rise in sudden cardiac deaths. Rather, it appears to be a multifactorial issue, with behavioral, genetic, and environmental risks. While in the immediate post-COVID phase, there is an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular events due to a pro-inflammatory state, the same cannot be held to be true in the long term (>1 year). It has been three years since the end of the pandemic,' Dr Ravindranath added.
Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Nipah patient critical in Kerala's Palakkad; containment zone declared
Nipah virus infection, according to the WHO website, is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.
