Deadly Viruses in Chinese Bats: Scientists have discovered 20 new viruses in bats from China’s Yunnan province, including two that are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses. These viruses were found in fruit bats living near farms and villages, areas where people and animals often come into contact with wildlife.
The findings were published this week in the journal PLOS Pathogens. Experts say this discovery highlights the growing risk of new viruses jumping from animals to humans, especially in areas where farming, deforestation, and urbanisation bring people closer to wildlife.
Scientists are raising red flags over the increasing risk of zoonotic threats, diseases that spread from animals to humans, as environmental changes push wild animals into closer contact with people. This is the same pattern that has been seen with previous outbreaks like SARS, Ebola, and COVID-19.
“This study shows that we still know very little about the viruses that live in bats and in our environment in general,” said Tim Mahony, director at the Centre for Animal Science, University of Queensland, Australia. He was not part of the research.
The study was conducted by researchers from China and the University of Sydney. They examined the kidneys of 142 bats collected over four years in Yunnan province. Most bat virus studies focus on droppings, but this one looked at kidney tissue, which is involved in virus shedding through urine — another possible way viruses can spread.
In total, the team found 22 viruses, 20 of which were previously unknown. They also discovered two new types of bacteria and one unknown parasite. Among the viruses were two new henipaviruses: a group that includes Nipah and Hendra, known to cause severe brain and respiratory infections in both humans and animals. These infections can be deadly, with some outbreaks reporting death rates as high as 75 per cent.
The concerning part is that these bats were living near agricultural areas, where their urine could contaminate fruit or surfaces that people or farm animals may come into contact with. The study authors warned that these viruses could pose “serious zoonotic threats” and need urgent attention.
One of the researchers declined to comment further on the study, saying the topic was “sensitive.” However, health experts have called the findings scientifically important.
“This shows just how many different viruses exist in bats, especially henipaviruses,” said Linfa Wang, professor at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. “We need to monitor the situation closely, but there’s no need for panic right now.”
Experts agree that as human activities continue to disturb natural habitats, the chance of viruses spilling over from wildlife to humans will only grow. This latest study serves as a reminder of the hidden dangers in nature and the need for strong global monitoring and preparedness.