Latest news with #WuhanVirusResearchCentre
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First Post
6 hours ago
- Health
- First Post
Another virus scare from China: Scientists find new health threats in Chinese bats
Chinese researchers have identified 22 new viruses in kidney tissues from 142 bats. Two of them resemble Hendra and Nipah henipaviruses, which can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory illness read more Researchers in China have uncovered at least 20 new viruses in bats, sparking 'urgent concerns' that they could spread to livestock or humans. Using genetic sequencing, the team identified 22 viruses in kidney tissues from 142 bats in Yunnan province, collected between 2017 and 2021. Of the newly identified 22 viruses, two are said to be extremely dangerous. The two resemble Hendra and Nipah henipaviruses, which can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory illness in humans, according to The Sun. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per reports, the fatality rate of diseases caused by these viruses can be as high as 75 per cent. The study also revealed unknown bacteria and a new single-celled parasite, Klossiella yunnanensis. Significance of the discovery This discovery comes years after the Covid-19 pandemic, which first emerged in Wuhan, China, in 2019, killing millions around the globe. The Wuhan Virus Research Centre, known for studying bat coronaviruses, was previously linked to theories suggesting a lab leak caused the outbreak. What are researchers warning about? The bats in this study were found roosting near fruit orchards close to populated villages. Researchers warn that bat urine could transmit henipaviruses, potentially contaminating fruit eaten by humans or animals, risking another outbreak. The study identified two new henipaviruses, Yunnan bat henipavirus 1 and 2, the first full-length genomes of this virus type found in Chinese bats. Molecular virologist Vinod Balasubramaniam called the findings 'concerning,' noting the viruses were in bat kidneys, linked to urine production, which could expose humans through contaminated fruit or water. These viruses share 52-57 per cent genetic material with other henipaviruses, which have caused deadly outbreaks before. Though there's no certainty of these viruses spilling over to humans, past incidents like the Nipah outbreak in Bangladesh, linked to bat-contaminated fruit sap, show it's possible. Yunnan's proximity to Malaysia, where Nipah first emerged, heightens concerns among virologists about the virus's risk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ecologist Dr. Alison Peel noted that not all henipaviruses are harmful, but lab tests are crucial to determine their potential to infect humans.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Scientists discover new ‘brain-inflaming' bat viruses in China, raise ‘urgent concerns'
In China, researchers have discovered at least 20 new viruses within bats, raising "urgent concerns" that these might go on to affect livestock as well as humans in future. New 'brain-inflaming' bat viruses have been found in China.(UnSplash) The team used genetic sequencing to identify 22 viruses in the kidney tissues of 142 bats. These were collected from China's Yunnan province between 2017 and 2021. Two of them are genetically similar to Hendra and Nipah henipaviruses, Newsweek reported. Both the viruses could cause brain inflammation and dangerous respiratory disease in humans, according to The Sun. The study unveiled species of bacteria along with a parasite, which earlier remained unknown to science. Why could the discovery be crucial? This development comes a few years after the deadly COVID-19 outbreak resulted in millions of deaths around the world. Its first known case was identified in China's Wuhan city in late 2019. The Wuhan Virus Research Centre is famous for working on the coronaviruses found in bats. Earlier, there were theories suggesting that the pandemic started after the virus leaked from the Wuhan lab, perhaps through an infected worker. In the latest research, the team found out that bats were roosting near fruit orchards, which were adjacent to rural yet populated villages. The researchers have warned that urine could serve as a transmission route in henipaviruses, raising the risk that these bats can contaminate fruits, which are consumed by humans or animals. Potentially, this could pave the way for another outbreak. The study talks about the discovery of two previously unknown henipaviruses, called Yunnan bat henipavirus 1 and 2. It highlights the first full-length genomes of this virus type that was detected in bats in China. In a statement, molecular virologist professor Vinod Balasubramaniam called these viruses "concerning" as they were discovered in bat kidneys, "a site linked to urine production, raising alarm about potential human exposure via contaminated fruits or water". Henipaviruses have been held responsible for a few fatal outbreaks in the past. The newly identified Yunnan bat viruses, according to the study, share 52% to 57% of their genetic material with other counterparts. Apart from this, the team has also found a previously unknown single-celled parasite named Klossiella yunnanensis. FAQs 1. Is the China bat virus dangerous? New viruses found in bat kidneys in China's Yunnan 'underscore critical zoonotic threats,' the study authors said. They added that the potential for such viruses to infect humans or animals needs urgent attention. 2. Will there be another pandemic from bats? As of now, researchers have not indicated about another pandemic. 3. What virus is spreading in China? Researchers have found at least 20 new viruses within bats in the country.
