Many bat species in China are infected with viruses similar to the one causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), according to a conclusion by an international research team published in the journal “Science” on September 29.
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Bats, one of the “hosts” carrying the SARS virus. |
Researcher Zheng Li-Shan from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and his colleagues studied over 400 bats from various species in China and found that up to 70% of certain species showed signs of infection with a virus similar to SARS.
This finding supports earlier hypotheses from scientists in Hong Kong that bats could be a “host” for the SARS virus after discovering many bat species in Hong Kong carrying viruses very similar to SARS. Host animals are those that harbor the virus and can transmit it while remaining healthy themselves.
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak began in China in 2002 and spread worldwide by 2003, infecting 8,000 people and causing more than 700 deaths. The outbreak was subsequently contained through strict quarantine measures and various other strategies, but experts warn it could return at any time.
According to scientists, the SARS outbreak was caused by a new type of virus called SARS coronavirus, which leads to rapid respiratory failure and death in infected individuals, while coronaviruses are present in both humans and animals and are not more dangerous than common colds.
Similar SARS-like viruses have also been found in animals like civets, but they are not considered “hosts” for the SARS virus. From this research, scientists argue that caution is needed regarding horseshoe bats, which are used as food and medicine in China.
Bats are known hosts for several new viruses such as Hendra and Nipah, yet they rarely become ill themselves.
