Discovery of New Coronavirus Strain in Brazilian Bats Raises Health Concerns
A recent study has discovered a new strain of coronavirus in Brazilian bats, closely related to MERS-CoV, which poses potential risks to human health. Researchers are poised to conduct laboratory tests to determine its transmissibility. With MERS-CoV being highly lethal, the finding emphasizes the critical need for ongoing surveillance of bat populations to prevent outbreaks, underscoring the role of wildlife in human disease transmission.
A recent study conducted in Brazil has revealed that the country’s bats are hosts to a diverse array of coronaviruses, including a newly identified strain that poses potential health risks for humans. Researchers are preparing to test this variant in secure laboratory conditions to ascertain its capacity to infect humans. The strain bears a close resemblance to the MERS coronavirus, which has a high case fatality rate of nearly 35% in humans, inducing significant concern amongst scientists.
Since its emergence in 2012, MERS-CoV has resulted in 858 fatalities predominantly in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It remains the most lethal known coronavirus affecting humans, in stark contrast to the much less fatal SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, which has a fatality rate of approximately 2% based on a 2022 study.
In this study, led by Bruna Stefanie Silvério from the Federal University of São Paulo, an international team discovered a close relative of MERS-CoV while testing 16 bat species for pathogens. Through the collection of over 400 oral and rectal swabs, they identified seven distinct coronaviruses from two bat species: Molossus molossus and Artibeus lituratus, with only one variant having a shared evolutionary lineage with MERS-CoV. This finding indicates that similar viruses are circulating in South American bats, thus expanding their previously known geographic distribution.
Since long before the 2020 pandemic, researchers have recognized the potential threat posed by bat viruses to human health. In 2002, SARS marked the first pandemic of the 21st century, with a fatality rate of around 10%. Eventually, it was established that bats were a natural reservoir for these coronaviruses, as shown with the spillover from bats to humans in earlier outbreaks.
The emergence of this MERS-like strain in Brazil highlights the essential role that bats play as reservoirs for new viruses. Silvério mentioned, “Right now we aren’t sure it can infect humans, but we detected parts of the virus’s spike protein suggesting potential interaction with the receptor used by MERS-CoV.” Plans for further experimentation are set to take place in Hong Kong this year to gather additional insights about the strain.
Since 2020, the vigilance against coronaviruses originating from wildlife has amplified significantly. While the existence of this novel strain is alarming, it allows for proactive monitoring by researchers. Biologist Ricardo Durães-Carvalho emphasized the importance of continuous epidemiological surveillance of bats as viral reservoirs, asserting that understanding known threats is vital in managing emerging health risks.
The discovery of a new strain of coronavirus in Brazilian bats highlights the significant risks posed by pathogenic viruses in wildlife to human health. With its alarming resemblance to the highly fatal MERS-CoV, the situation necessitates vigilant research and monitoring efforts. Continuous epidemiological surveillance of bats is critical to prevent potential spills over of viruses to humans, ultimately safeguarding public health. The study underscores the necessity of remaining alert to the evolving landscape of emerging infectious diseases.
Original Source: www.sciencealert.com
