A new study reveals that Brazilian bats harbor a potentially dangerous coronavirus strain similar to MERS-CoV. This discovery prompts ongoing testing to assess the risk of human transmission. Historically, coronaviruses from bats have caused significant health crises, underscoring the need for vigilant surveillance of these vital reservoirs for emerging viruses. The research highlights the extended geographical range of similar coronaviruses and emphasizes the importance of proactive monitoring.
Bats in Brazil are revealing a vast array of coronaviruses, including a newly identified strain that may threaten human health in the future. Researchers regard this finding with seriousness, as they plan to test this variant in secure laboratories to determine its potential for transmission to humans.
This discovery raises alarms due to its resemblance to the MERS coronavirus, which has a high case fatality rate of nearly 35 percent in humans since being identified in 2012. MERS-CoV has been responsible for 858 known deaths across regions including the Middle East and Asia, illustrating its lethality compared to other coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic, has a much lower fatality rate of approximately 2 percent, as noted in a 2022 study.
The close relative of MERS-CoV was identified during tests conducted on 16 bat species in Brazil, led by Bruna Stefanie Silvério from the Federal University of São Paulo. Researchers collected over 400 swabs from these bats, revealing seven distinct coronaviruses primarily associated with two species: Molossus molossus and Artibeus lituratus. Only one of these viruses indicated a relationship with MERS-CoV, extending the known geographical range of closely related coronaviruses.
Historically, bat-associated viruses have posed threats to human health, with SARS emerging as the first pandemic of the 21st century, recording a fatality ratio of around 10 percent. Subsequent research established that SARS-CoV-1 originated from bats, further emphasizing their role in viral transmission. The identification of MERS in 2012 followed a similar pattern, highlighting the interconnectedness of zoonotic diseases.
The presence of a MERS-like strain in South America emphasizes the significance of bats as reservoirs for new viruses, as noted by Silvério and her team. Initial studies suggest potential interaction with the receptor used by MERS-CoV. “To find out more, we plan to conduct experiments in Hong Kong during the current year,” Silvério stated, underscoring the ongoing research efforts.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global community has increased surveillance regarding the risk of coronaviruses transmitting from wildlife to humans. Although the emergence of a new bat-borne virus is concerning, it is an opportunity for proactive monitoring. “Bats are important viral reservoirs and should therefore be submitted to continuous epidemiological surveillance,” remarked co-author Ricardo Durães-Carvalho, reinforcing the need for vigilance. The relevant study has been published in the Journal of Medical Virology.
In conclusion, the discovery of a novel coronavirus strain in Brazilian bats signifies a potential health threat due to its similarity to the highly lethal MERS virus. With plans for further testing and vigilance heightened since the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists aim to monitor this risk meticulously. The findings emphasize the critical need for epidemiological surveillance of bats as reservoirs of emerging viral diseases.
Original Source: www.sciencealert.com
