9 viruses found in fecal samples of 16 species of bats
Experts “British bats are harboring a corona-like virus”
A virus similar to Corona has been found in bats native to England. Scientists say “just a few mutations can attack humans”.
| ↑ Bat/Photo = Yonhap News |
Experts have warned that bats in Britain are harboring a coronavirus-like virus that has the potential to spread to humans.
Researchers tested for viruses in fecal samples from 16 species of bats living in the UK, and found nine viruses. Two of these were scientifically completely new viruses.
These viruses have been found in samples taken from large horseshoe bats and lesser horseshoe bats, and belong to the same broad family of pathogens as SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus.
According to a research team including prominent government advisers, the unprecedented coronavirus needs only to undergo a few ‘adaptations’ to pose a threat to humans.
Some believe that the coronavirus may have spread to humans from bats in China through intermediate species such as raccoons and pangolins.
Among these, zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans and
Concerns are growing about their potential to trigger a pandemic.
Some experts point to habitat loss due to climate change and urbanization, and increased migration of animals due to environmental degradation as causes of zoonotic diseases.
Meanwhile, scholars have argued that the virus poses a small risk to society.
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