ICMR research on Covid-19 finds presence of ” bats coronavirus”

“Although CoVs in the subfamily coronavirinae do not usually produce clinical symptoms in their natural hosts ( bats), the accidental transmission of these viruses to humans and other animals which may result in respiratory, enteric, hepatic or neurologic diseases of variable severity. It is still not understood as to why only certain CoVs can infect people”, the study further revealed. The scientists stressed on the proactive surveillance of zoonotic infections in bats.

The detection and identification of such viruses from bats also recommend cross-sectional antibody surveys ( human and domestic animals) in localities where the virus has been detected. Similarly, if the epidemiological situations demand, evidence-based surveillance should also be conducted, the study claimed while emphasizing the need to curate secure steps for combinedly working with various stakeholders such as wildlife, poultry, animal husbandry, and the national health departments.

“In conclusion, our study showed the detection of bat CoVs in two species of Indian bats. Continuous active surveillance is required to identify the emerging trend of the novel viruses with epidemic potential,” Dr. Yadav said. Elaborating more on the study, Dr. Yadav said that rectal swab samples of two bat species – namely, Roussetus and Pteropus – from seven states were screened for the BtCoV virus during which, the representative samples collected from Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu tested positive.