18 Bat Species in Switzerland Found Harboring Viruses from 39 Viral Families Including COVID-19

A recently conducted analysis of 18 species of stationary and migratory bats in Switzerland has found that these animals are harboring viruses from 39 different viral families, which include some viruses which have the potential risk of jumping to other animals, as well as humans and lead to disease.

The University of Zurich, Switzerland's Isabelle Hardmeier, together with their colleagues, have shown these results from the study; metagenomic analysis of fecal and tissue samples from 18 endemic bat species in Switzerland revealed a diverse virus composition, including potentially zoonotic viruses, in the PLOS ONE open-access journal.

While few identified cases of disease-causing infections jump directly from bats to humans, some viruses that these animals are carrying may jump to other animals and then get transferred to humans.

For example, SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is believed to have come from a virus that was transferred from a bat to another animal before infecting humans.

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Viruses Harbored by Bat Species

A Mail Online report said, monitoring the viruses that bats harbored around the world could enhance understanding and detection of those that posture danger to humans.

Nevertheless, while a previous study has examined viruses carried by bats in various countries, none have focused on Switzerland.

To address that knowledge gap, Hardmeier's team studied viruses carried by over 7,000 bats in Switzerland.

Specifically, according to a similar Phys.org report, the researchers analyzed both RNA and DNA sequences of the viruses found in the stool, fecal or organ samples they collected from the bats.

Genomic Analysis

This genomic analysis showed the existence of 39 different virus families, which include 16 families previously discovered to have the ability to infect other vertebrates, and which thus, could be transferred to other animals or even humans.

Further investigation of the viruses with this risk showed that one of the examined bat colonies harbored an almost complete genome of the virus identified as the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus or MERS-CoV.

While the MERS-CoV-associated virus is not known to lead to disease in humans, MERS-CoV has been responsible for the 2012 epidemic.

The authors also noted that the genomic analysis of samples of bat stools could be a beneficial tool to constantly monitor viruses that bats had harbored, and this included the MERS-CoV-related virus.

Essentially, the tracking type described in this study could potentially identify buildups of viral genetic mutations that could increase the transmission risk to other animals, allowing the viruses' early detection that posture danger to humans.

Commenting on their research, the others explained, "metagenomics analysis of bats endemic to Switzerland" shows a comprehensive virus genome diversity.

Essentially, virus genomes from 39 different families were identified, 16 of which were known to have infected vertebrates which included herpesviruses, adenoviruses, rotaviruses A and H, parvoviruses, and coronaviruses.

'Zoonotic' Viruses

In terms of carrying viruses that can jump to other animal species, the so-called "zoonotic viruses," bats may be in their own class.

These flying mammals, as described in a 2016 Live Science report, are reservoirs for over 60 viruses that could infect humans and host more viruses each species compared to even rodents did.

There appeared to be something different about bats when it comes to having the ability to host zoonotic contagions, explained David Hayman, the study researcher and wildlife epidemiologist at Colorado State University in the said research.

Related information is shown on the National Geographic's YouTube video below: