Fruit bats get swabbed to look for diseases that could jump to humans

Researchers are testing fruit bats within the Republic of the Congo for viruses resembling Ebola to be taught extra in regards to the dangers of illnesses spreading to people

By Madeleine Cuff

Fruit bats within the Republic of the Congo are being examined for zoonotic illnesses together with Ebola, in an effort by conservationists and medical researchers to higher perceive the danger posed by the dwell commerce of fruit bats and the consumption of bat meat within the nation.

Blood samples and nostril and throat swabs have been collected from round 100 fruit bats close to the Congolese capital Brazzaville this month, by researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research.

The analysis group sourced the bats from hunters who often promote their catches in bushmeat markets across the metropolis. None of the bats have thus far examined constructive for Ebola viruses, though fruit bats are recognized to harbour the the viruses and to have antibodies to the illness.

Multiple outbreaks of Ebola have been confirmed throughout West and Central Africa over the previous 20 years, with Uganda, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among the many international locations worst affected.

Ebola is a zoonotic illness, which means it jumps from animal to human hosts. The practice of transmission continues to be not clear, however scientists suspect preliminary outbreaks happen after an individual comes into contact with an contaminated animal, resembling a monkey or fruit bat.

Researchers hope the fruit bat testing programme will assist them to pinpoint how Ebola is spreading, together with whether or not the commerce of bushmeat is concerned. Since 2012, WCS has examined greater than 1200 fruit bats throughout Congo for pathogens with zoonotic potential.

Sign as much as Wild Wild Life, a free month-to-month publication celebrating the variety and science of animals, vegetation and Earth’s different bizarre inhabitants