Researchers in Yunnan province, China, have identified 20 new viruses in bats, including two that are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses, raising concerns about potential transmission to humans and livestock.

The study, published in PLOS Pathogens, analyzed bat kidneys from 142 bats across ten species over a four-year period.

These newly discovered henipaviruses share significant genetic similarities with Nipah and Hendra viruses, which, while lethal to humans, are relatively rare in human infections.

Ecological solutions, such as protecting bat food sources, are recommended to reduce spillover risks while maintaining healthy bat populations and ecosystems.

The authors stress the importance of comprehensive microbial analyses to better assess spillover risks from bats, given the implications for public health.

Researchers are calling for increased disease surveillance and public education to reduce exposure risks, such as washing fruits and protecting livestock from potential bat contact.

To mitigate the risk of human diseases, researchers advocate for restoring bat habitats and employing ecological approaches rather than culling bat populations.

Despite the alarming findings, co-author Professor Edward Holmes reassured that there is currently no evidence of human infection, indicating no immediate cause for panic.

Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems, aiding in pollination and seed dispersal, yet they are also natural reservoirs for microorganisms linked to major disease outbreaks.

Research indicates that habitat destruction and wildlife trade heighten the likelihood of disease emergence, reinforcing the need for ecological solutions to prevent future pandemics.

The findings are particularly significant for Australia, where past outbreaks of Hendra have occurred, underscoring the need for improved biosecurity measures.

The study also revealed that bat urine may serve as a transmission route for viruses capable of jumping from animals to humans.