Live Science Bats found near orchards harbor pathogens that could be passed to livestock or humans. Scientists in China have discovered a host of never-before-seen viruses in bats that live near humans. These viruses include two that are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses, which can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans.
The work, published June 24 in the journal PLOS Pathogens, highlights the importance of keeping a close eye on bats and other animals that live near human populations, and avoiding contact with them as much as possible.
Bats are natural reservoirs for many pathogens that can cause disease in humans, but the full extent of the bacteria, viruses and other potentially infectious agents they harbor is not known. Most previous studies have focused on bat feces rather than on internal organs, mainly because it is easier to collect. However, that tells us only about the viruses that make their way into feces.