Deforestation And Growth Of Human Population Might Be Behind The Increasing Number Of New Bats-Transferred Infections

The diseases transmitted from animals to humans are called zoonotic diseases. They emergence primarily depends on the human-animal interaction or the nature of this contact. The viral infections originating from bats belong to this class of diseases. But what is the connection between humans and this rather unusual disease carrier? And why no troubles were recorded in the past?

It looks like most viruses in question happily exist in the body of bats without causing them much trouble. Bats act as so-called reservoir hosts. Rapid growth of urban landscape has brought humans closer to bats, thereby increasing the risk of transmission of many diseases. Changing climate patterns and deforestation leads to the destruction of natural habitats and results in migration of bat populations closer to human settlements.

Rabies is one of the most common viral infections that can be transmitted by bats

Exotic viruses mentioned above are not the first bat-transferred infectious agents ever recorded. In fact, the first detection of viral disease transmitted by bats occurred in 1920s when rabies virus was detected in bats in Central and South America.

The saliva of a bat contains rabies virus and exposure of any wound or mucous membrane lining eyes, mouth and nose may result in viral penetration and rabies. It is therefore more common among cave explorers. In certain areas, human contact with bats has increased due to expanding population and bat migration. Bats also live on trees and partially eaten fruits stained with bat saliva are a source of infection.

Bats host a number of other viral infections that can potentially be dangerous for humans

A research article published several years ago in the journal Current topics in microbiology and immunology mentioned that many of the common viruses like measles, mumps, respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza viruses have been detected in bats.

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Recent study published by the researchers from the University of Cambridge revealed that the tropical bats populations can serve as a natural reservoir for even more different viral infections than previously thought. Scientists have analyzed 2,000 bats from 12 African countries and found that almost half of the animals harbored various viruses such as rabies-like Lagos bats virus and henipavirus.

Fruit bats tend to eat some fruits that are also consumed by people. The partially eaten fruits can contain the traces of virus-infested bats saliva which may cause the transfer of infection. In addition, many tropical species of bats are hunted for food by local people. Growth of human settlements increases the chances of occasional viral transfer that might become a starting point of infections outbreak.