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Published on: August 27, 2019
Henipavirus RNA in African bats
Jan Felix Drexler1, Victor Max Corman, Florian Gloza-Rausch
1Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
Plos One
|July 29, 2009
Summary
Novel Henipaviruses were detected in African fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), extending the known geographic range of these highly pathogenic viruses. This discovery highlights potential new risks for human health in Africa.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Bat Ecology
Background:
- Henipaviruses, including Hendra and Nipah viruses, are highly pathogenic Paramyxoviridae.
- Pteropus fruit bats are the suspected natural reservoir for Henipaviruses.
- Known human infections are geographically restricted to Australia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh, aligning with Pteropus distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of Henipaviruses in African fruit bats, specifically Eidolon helvum.
- To determine if Henipaviruses are circulating outside their known endemic regions.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples were collected from Eidolon helvum roosting in an urban area in Kumasi, Ghana.
- Samples were tested for the presence of Henipavirus RNA using molecular methods.
Main Results:
- Sequences of three novel viruses phylogenetically related to known Henipaviruses were identified in the fecal samples.
- The detected Henipavirus RNA concentrations in the bat feces were low.
Conclusions:
- The discovery of novel Henipaviruses in Ghana significantly expands the potential endemic region for this pathogenic virus genus.
- This finding underscores the importance of One Health approaches to monitor and manage zoonotic disease risks in Africa.
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