Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Standard Operating Procedure for Lyssavirus Surveillance of the Bat Population in Taiwan
Published on: August 27, 2019
Interspecies transmission and emergence of novel viruses: lessons from bats and birds
Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan1, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Herman Tse
1State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Carol Yu Centre for Infection, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Abstract:
As exemplified by coronaviruses and influenza viruses, bats and birds are natural reservoirs for providing viral genes during evolution of new virus species and viruses for interspecies transmission. These warm-blooded vertebrates display high species biodiversity, roosting and migratory behavior, and a unique adaptive immune system, which are favorable characteristics for asymptomatic shedding, dissemination, and mixing of different viruses for the generation of novel mutant, recombinant, or reassortant RNA viruses. The increased intrusion of humans into wildlife habitats and overcrowding of different wildlife species in wet markets and farms have also facilitated the interspecies transmission between different animal species.
Related Concept Videos
Viral Recombination
Viral Mutations
Convergent Evolution
Arboviral Encephalitis
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Reservoir of Infection
