The Viral Zoonotic Diseases from bats

Abstract

Bats are known reservoirs of virulent zoonotic pathogens not known to experience disease. They are known as nature’s pest controllers which are insectivorous and pollinators which are frugivorous in their nature. In the entire ecosystem bats play a vital role in various ways to sustain the diversity at its best. However, recent events have cast great aspersions on the bat behavior and the potential impact it has on Public Health not just in a specified region but globally. The impact has been devastating and disastrous. The recent COVID 19 pandemic spell, opened the eyes of the scientific community, economists and even governments to work together.
 A host of issues were brought to light, as to how viral pathogenicity has played havoc with such virulence in the world community. Numerous studies proved beyond doubt bats act as natural reservoirs for a large number of emerging and re emerging pathogens that other animals and humans can contract. It would be surprising to know that these viruses are also listed in the bioterrorism list of pathogens. Such diversity shows that the bats are well adapted to the effects of virulent pathogens within their internal milieu. The first report of transmission of a bat virus to human was reported in 1960, it was the Rabies virus belonging to the Lyssa virus genus. SARS, Ebola, Nipah have already proven to be virulent and lethal.(1)
 
 AIM
 To ascertain the viral dynamics in bats that lead to rapid transmission and infectivity in humans
 Objectives
 To understand the characteristics that bats possess, to host virulent pathogens
 To outline the mechanisms in bats in causing rapid transmission to humans