Virus Found in Bats in Chinese Fruit Orchards Raises Exposure Worries

Bats in Yunnan Province Carry Unknown Pathogens

Research in the orchards of Yunnan province, located in southwest China, has revealed that bats are hosting a number of unknown pathogens in their kidneys. Notably, two of these pathogens are closely related to the dangerous Nipah and Hendra viruses.

A team from the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, along with researchers from Dali University, led by Guopeng Kuang and Tian Yang, performed genetic analyses on 142 bats across ten species. Their efforts resulted in the identification of 20 new viruses, a new bacterium, and a new protozoan parasite.

The viruses in question are classified as henipaviruses, recognized for their long genetic sequences and broad host range. Interestingly, over half of the genes from these newly discovered viruses show similarities to Nipah and Hendra, which, while deadly to humans, are somewhat uncommon.

It remains uncertain whether these henipaviruses can actually transfer from bats to other species, but their genetic resemblance to known pathogens raises concerns that warrant scientific scrutiny.

Molecular virologist Vinod Balasubramaniam, from Monash University in Malaysia, who was not involved in the research, remarked on the importance of the findings. He noted that the prevalence of these viruses in bat kidneys, linked to urine production, raises alarms about potential human exposure through contaminated fruits or water—pathways seen in previous outbreaks.

The fact that these bats were captured in fruit orchards suggests that if the viruses can make the jump to humans or domestic animals, it could put them at significant risk.

However, bats do play a crucial role in these orchards. They aid in fruit pollination, enhance soil fertility, and control insect populations. It’s reported that insectivorous bats in China help apple farmers save an estimated $2 billion annually in crop losses.

Alison Peel, a veterinarian and wildlife disease ecologist from the University of Sydney, who also was not part of the study, highlighted the nuances of the situation. She pointed out that there are similar viruses related to Hendra and Nipah that don’t pose risks for spillover, suggesting that more laboratory investigations are necessary to truly assess the potential danger from these new viruses.