Latest news with #YunnanInstitute
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists raise ‘urgent concerns' over new bat viruses discovered in China
Researchers have raised 'urgent concerns' after discovering two new bat viruses in China with the potential to infect humans and cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease. The viruses, along with multiple new bacteria and parasite species, were discovered in bats inhabiting orchards in southwestern China's Yunnan province, according to a study published on Tuesday in the journal PLoS Pathogens. These viruses are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra pathogens, which cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans, according to researchers, including from the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention. Nipah is a lethal pathogen known to cause severe disease in humans, including acute respiratory distress with a high mortality rate of 35-75 per cent. The Hendra virus has been responsible for multiple fatal outbreaks in humans and horses. 'These viruses are naturally hosted by fruit bats and are typically transmitted to humans through bat urine or saliva, often via contamination of food sources,' researchers said. The study raises concerns about the potential for similar new viruses to spread from bats to livestock or humans in the region. 'This finding is particularly significant as Yunnan province is a recognised hotspot for bat diversity,' it notes. Due to their unique immune systems, bats are a natural reservoir for a wide range of microorganisms, including notable pathogens transmitted to humans. While the exact origins of the Covid-19 pandemic remain unclear, numerous studies suggest horseshoe bats as one of the most likely host candidates from which the novel coronavirus jumped to humans. However, the complete array of viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites that infect bats remains unknown as most previous studies have focused on faeces from the flying mammal alone without inspecting the organs. The latest study peered inside the kidneys of 142 bats from 10 species, which were collected over four years across five areas of Yunnan. Genome sequencing of the samples revealed 22 viruses, of which 20 are new to science. Two of these were henipaviruses, the same genus as Nipah and Hendra, which have had high fatality rates in humans in previous epidemic outbreaks. Since these viruses can potentially spread through urine, scientists raise concerns about the risk of these pathogens jumping to humans or livestock via contaminated fruit from the orchards. The findings underscore the need for a multi-organ screening approach to understand the microbial diversity harboured by bats. Scientists call for 'comprehensive, full-spectrum microbial analyses of previously understudied organs to better assess spillover risks from bat populations'. "By analysing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, we uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry, but also the first full-length genomes of novel bat-borne henipaviruses closely related to Hendra and Nipah viruses identified in China,' they say. Researchers have also expressed 'urgent concerns about the potential for these viruses to spill over into humans or livestock'.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Scientists raise ‘urgent concerns' over new bat viruses discovered in China
Researchers have raised 'urgent concerns' after discovering two new bat viruses in China with the potential to infect humans and cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease. The viruses, along with multiple new bacteria and parasite species, were discovered in bats inhabiting orchards in southwestern China 's Yunnan province, according to a study published on Tuesday in the journal PLoS Pathogens. These viruses are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra pathogens, which cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans, according to researchers, including from the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention. Nipah is a lethal pathogen known to cause severe disease in humans, including acute respiratory distress with a high mortality rate of 35-75 per cent. The Hendra virus has been responsible for multiple fatal outbreaks in humans and horses. 'These viruses are naturally hosted by fruit bats and are typically transmitted to humans through bat urine or saliva, often via contamination of food sources,' researchers said. The study raises concerns about the potential for similar new viruses to spread from bats to livestock or humans in the region. 'This finding is particularly significant as Yunnan province is a recognised hotspot for bat diversity,' it notes. Due to their unique immune systems, bats are a natural reservoir for a wide range of microorganisms, including notable pathogens transmitted to humans. While the exact origins of the Covid-19 pandemic remain unclear, numerous studies suggest horseshoe bats as one of the most likely host candidates from which the novel coronavirus jumped to humans. However, the complete array of viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites that infect bats remains unknown as most previous studies have focused on faeces from the flying mammal alone without inspecting the organs. The latest study peered inside the kidneys of 142 bats from 10 species, which were collected over four years across five areas of Yunnan. Genome sequencing of the samples revealed 22 viruses, of which 20 are new to science. Two of these were henipaviruses, the same genus as Nipah and Hendra, which have had high fatality rates in humans in previous epidemic outbreaks. Since these viruses can potentially spread through urine, scientists raise concerns about the risk of these pathogens jumping to humans or livestock via contaminated fruit from the orchards. The findings underscore the need for a multi-organ screening approach to understand the microbial diversity harboured by bats. Scientists call for 'comprehensive, full-spectrum microbial analyses of previously understudied organs to better assess spillover risks from bat populations'. "By analysing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, we uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry, but also the first full-length genomes of novel bat-borne henipaviruses closely related to Hendra and Nipah viruses identified in China,' they say.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
‘Urgent concerns' as 20 NEW ‘brain-inflaming' bat viruses discovered in China that risk ‘highly fatal' spillover humans
SCIENTISTS have raised "urgent concerns" over new viruses discovered in bats which have the potential to spill over into humans and could be "highly fatal". Testing bats in China, experts found 22 viruses - 20 of which have never been seen before. 1 Two of these new bugs were of particular concern, as they were closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses. Both viruses can cause brain inflammation and dangerous respiratory disease in humans. Nipah is a bat-bourne virus that's been flagged as a "priority pathogen" by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of its potential to trigger an epidemic. It can kill up to 70 per cent of its victims, with outbreaks reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Meanwhile, Hendra is a rare virus that can spread to humans from horses that have been infected by disease-carrying bats. Only seven cases have been reported in people, in Australia. Scientists at the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention detected two worrying viruses - described as the "evolutionary cousins" of Nipah and Hendra - while testing the kidneys of bats in the Yunnan province of China. The bats lived in orchards close to villages, sparking concerns that fruit eaten by inhabitants and livestock may get contaminated and risk wider transmission. "Bats have been implicated in a number of major emerging disease outbreaks, including Hendra, Nipah, Marburg and Ebola virus disease, severe and acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and Covid-19," researchers wrote in the journal PLOS Pathogens. "Bat-borne viruses are transmitted to humans either through direct contact with bats or via the ingestion of food or water contaminated with bat saliva, faeces, or urine." World leaders gather over chilling 'Disease X' threat amid fears hypothetical outbreak could kill 20x more than Covid The study team - led by Dr Yun Feng - pointed out that previous research looking at the disease spreading potential of bats has only focused on their faeces. But they said bugs living in bats' kidneys also "present potential transmission risks" as they may be excreted through urine. "The kidney can harbour important zoonotic pathogens, including the highly pathogenic Hendra and Nipah viruses," scientists said. They looked inside the kidneys of 142 bats from ten species, which were collected over four years in five areas of the Yunnan province. Using advanced genetic sequencing, the team found 22 viruses, 20 of them never seen before. Two of the most concerning were new henipaviruses, which are in the same group as Nipah and Hendra bugs. The henipaviruses were found in fruit bats living near orchards close to villages. Scientists said their study "rais[ed] urgent concerns about the potential for these viruses to spill over into humans or livestock.' What is Nipah virus? Nipah is a serious, and sometimes deadly, viral disease. It's carried by fruit bats which can be passed onto people. Some patients present no symptoms while others present with severe inflammation of the brain. Symptoms include fever, and headache followed by drowsiness and mental confusion. About half of patients with neurological symptoms also experienced respiratory difficulty. Progression of symptoms People with Nipah usually start getting sick between four and 14 days after they were infected with the virus. They are typically sick for three to 14 days with fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Later in the infection, some people may experience brain swelling, or encephalitis, where severe symptoms can include confusion, drowsiness, and seizures. People with these symptoms can fall into a coma within 24 to 48 hours. How it spreads Nipah virus can be transmitted from bats to humans through contact with infected bat secretions – for example by consuming raw date palm sap The virus can also spread to domestic animals, notably pigs, and cause disease in these populations NiV can also be transmitted through close contact with infected patients How to prevent it If you travel to or live in an area where Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred, you should: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water Avoid contact with flying fox bats or sick pigs Avoid areas where bats roost or Avoid touching anything that could be soiled by bats Avoid eating raw date palm sap or fruit that could be soiled by bats Avoid contact with the blood or body fluids of someone with Nipah How it is treated Treatment is currently limited to supportive care. A vaccine has been developed to protect horses and this holds promise for future henipavirus protection for humans Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr Alison Peel, a veterinarian and wildlife disease ecologist from the Sydney School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney, said: "The main significance of this work lies in the discovery of viruses in bats in China that are 'evolutionary cousins' to two of the most concerning pathogens in humans – Hendra virus and Nipah virus – which circulate in bats and are highly fatal if they spill over into people." But she said the viruses require further study before we can definitively state that they can pass on from bats to people. "While one of the new viruses in this study appears to be the closest known relative to these highly fatal viruses, there are some genetic differences in the regions of the virus responsible for binding to and entering cells, so we can't automatically assume that it can cross over to new species. "We have other examples of close evolutionary cousins to Hendra and Nipah that appear not to be of any concern for spillover, so there will need to be some more laboratory studies on these new viruses to determine the actual risk. Dr Peel went on: "Importantly, the bats infected with the Hendra-like virus were captured in fruit orchards, highlighting potential opportunities for contact with humans and domestic species. "Our research on Hendra virus spillover in Australia has demonstrated clear links between habitat destruction, loss of natural food, and increased spillover risk – so this may also be the case in China. "Rather than focusing on bats as the problem, we've also shown evidence that protecting and restoring bat food sources is an effective and sustainable solution." What is Hendra virus? Hendra disease is an extremely rare illness caused by the Hendra virus. Hendra virus was first identified during a 1994 outbreak of lung and brain disease in horses and people in Hendra, Australia. The virus is part of the same virus family as Nipah virus. Flying fox bats can infect horses with the virus when they bite the horses. Horses can also be infected if they are exposed to the urine, droppings, or saliva of an infected bat. Hendra infections in people remain rare; only seven cases have ever been reported. Progression of symptoms Symptoms in people typically begin nine and 16 days after they had contact with an infected horse. Hendra infection can cause lung problems with severe flu-like symptoms. In some cases, illness may progress to brain swelling. Hendra infections are rare. However, it leads to death in more than half of people who get it (57 per cent). Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover two brand new viruses in bats in China – and warn they could spill over to humans
Infections that could trigger severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease have been discovered in bats in China. Researchers have found two new viruses in the flying mammals that are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses – both of which are fatal to humans. Experts have raised urgent concerns about the potential of these viruses to jump to local people. And there is currently no medication or vaccine to treat either of them. 'These findings broaden our understanding of the bat kidney infectome, underscore critical zoonotic threats and highlight the need for comprehensive, full-spectrum microbial analyses of previously understudied organs to better assess spillover risks from bat populations,' the researchers said. For their study, the team from the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention analysed the kidneys of 142 bats from 10 species collected over four years. Using advanced genetic sequencing they found 22 viruses – 20 of them never seen before. Two of the most concerning were new henipaviruses, closely related to the Nipah and Hendra viruses. These were found in fruit bats (Rousettus leschenaultia) living near orchards close to human villages in Yunnan. Since henipaviruses can spread through urine, the study raises concerns about contaminated fruit and the risk of these viruses jumping to humans. The team published their findings in the journal Plos Pathogens. They wrote: 'By analysing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, we uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry, but also the first full-length genomes of novel bat-borne henipaviruses closely related to Hendra and Nipah viruses identified in China.' They said their findings raise 'urgent concerns about the potential for these viruses to spill over into humans or livestock.' Bats are natural reservoirs for a wide range of microorganisms, including some that have previously been transmitted to humans. One theory is that the coronavirus could have originated in bats and then spilled over into people, triggering the global Covid pandemic. However, others argue it came from a 'lab leak' or from other animals being sold at a wet market. The animals have also been linked to Ebola and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks. 'Bat-borne viruses are transmitted to human either direct contact with bats or via so-called 'intermediate' hosts, often linked to the ingestion of food or water contaminated with bat saliva, faeces or urine,' the researchers added. They warned: 'Nipah virus are lethal pathogens that cause severe disease in humans, including acute respiratory distress and encephalitis, with a mortality rate of 35-75 per cent. 'Similarly, Hendra virus has caused multiple fatal outbreaks in humans and horses, including the death of veterinarians.' Separately, experts have warned that dozens of viruses – some of which have the potential to spill over into humans – have been detected mixing in animals at fur farms in China, sparking new fears of a fresh pandemic outbreak. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists have been warning that farming mammals such as minks for their fur could make it easier for new viruses to cross over from the wild and spark fresh outbreaks. Virologist Edward Holmes, who has led research into Covid-19, told AFP he felt that the global fur farming industry 'is one most likely ways by which a new pandemic will start'. 'Personally, I think the fur farming industry globally should be closed down,' he added. 'I strongly believe that the wildlife trade was responsible for the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. 'And I think that the related fur farming trade could easily result in another pandemic virus.' It might sound bat crazy, but these disease-riddled cave-dwelling creatures of the night might hold the key to curing CANCER They have become much maligned due to their links to the Covid pandemic - but bats may hold the secret to curing cancer. A new study found some species contain more than 50 unique genes that may make them immune to tumors - even though they live extraordinarily long lives. Bats have mystified scientists for years due to their unique ability to live normally with viruses that kill or sicken most other mammals - and people. Yet this ability to tolerate viruses put them at the center of questions about the origin of Covid, which is thought to have emerged in the animals. Researchers hope that by developing a better understanding of their miracle immune systems, they can develop ways to prevent and treat cancer in people.
