Scientists have discovered 20 previously unknown viruses in bats living near human settlements in China, including two that are closely related to deadly diseases that can infect people. This finding has experts worried about possible risks to public health. The research team examined kidney tissues from 142 bats across ten different species in China’s Yunnan province between 2017 and 2021. This approach differs from most previous studies, which typically only looked at bat droppings. “By analyzing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, we uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry, but also … Continue reading China Bat Study Reveals 20 New Viruses with 71% Genetic Match to Fatal Nipah and Hendra Pathogens