Scientists have demonstrated the signals of a new and potential global threat in the field of health in the field of health in the southwest of China, Yunnan. Experts examining the existence of bat in the region extensively identified 22 different viruses that may pose a serious risk for human health. Moreover, 20 of these viruses have never been seen in the scientific world, and it has been reported that completely new species. The two new viruses, especially in the study, were genetically close to the Henipavirus family, which can cause serious diseases such as fatal brain inflammation (encephalitis) and severe respiratory failure in humans.
Why is henipavirus important?
Following the results of the research that caused the research, the scientific world warned that ‘henipaviruses’ can be transmitted from the animal to human beings, and that Nipah and Hendra viruses of this family have caused out of the outbreaks that cause high mortality rates ranging from 40 percent to 75 percent. Indicating that henipaviruses attack the brain tissues and respiratory system Internal Medicine Specialist Ayça Kaya said: “The virus can have fatal consequences such as sudden coma, encephalitis, acute respiratory failure.”
Does it get infected with people?
On the other hand, according to the research team, especially N (nucleoprotein) and L (RNA polymerase) proteins of viruses show a similarity between 52 and 71 percent with known fatal viruses. This reveals that the discovered viruses are the closest “wild relatives henipavirus”. This genetic proximity of Henipaviruses shows that they have the potential to attack their human brain and lungs.
Is fruit consumption risky?
One of the most remarkable findings about contamination was that viruses were found in the bat kidneys. This indicates that viruses can be thrown into the outside environment through urine. The urine of fruit bats living in areas close to orchards can be transmitted to fruits or water resources in the trees. Thus, the likelihood of the virus will spread over people or animals that consume fruits. Experts say that this type of transmission was previously observed in Nipah outbreaks in Bangladesh and Malaysia. On the other hand, according to the findings, the mortality rates of henipavirus infections are quite high. According to the data of the World Health Organization, this rate in the Nipah virus varies between 40 percent and 75 percent, while the Hendra virus is about 57 percent.
Bacterial type discovered
Bacterial Specialist Ali Rıza Akın stated that the research was not only focused on viruses, while “In the kidney tissues of the bats, Klossiella Yunnanensis, a protozoon species, and Flavobacterium Yunnanensis, a type of bacteria, were discovered. This revealed that bat kidneys are not only a virus but also for other microorganisms, but also a rich ecosystem. ”
No medicine and vaccine
Expressing that the findings are not only in virological terms, but also in terms of public health, Dr. Ayça Kaya said, “More importantly, there is neither an effective drug nor vaccination for Henipavirus. As a result, although there is no evidence that these new viruses are infected with people, their genetic proximity clearly reveals the potential danger. The probability of spreading viruses to the environment through urine strengthens the likelihood that they can pass to people by contamaging fruit or water resources, “he said.
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