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Potential for introduction of bat-borne zoonotic viruses into the EU: a review

Robin R L Simons1, Paul Gale2, Verity Horigan3

  • 1Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Epidemiology, Surveillance & Risk Group, New Haw, Surrey, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK. robin.simons@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk.

Viruses
|May 21, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Bat-borne viruses like Nipah virus (NiV) and Marburg virus (MARV) pose a zoonotic threat. This review assesses their potential introduction risk to the European Union, considering bat populations and viral factors.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Bat-borne viruses, such as Nipah virus (NiV) and Marburg virus (MARV), are significant global health threats.
  • While no major outbreaks have occurred in the European Union (EU), extensive trade and travel links with endemic regions present a risk of introduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review scientific knowledge on factors influencing the introduction of NiV and MARV into the EU.
  • To assess the potential risk posed by these bat-borne zoonotic viruses to the EU.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on bat-borne viruses.
  • Analysis of factors including bat species distribution, virus prevalence, seasonality, infection duration, and viral load in bat tissues.

Main Results:

  • Identified key ecological and virological factors relevant to NiV and MARV introduction.
  • Highlighted the importance of understanding bat populations and viral dynamics in risk assessment.

Conclusions:

  • The EU faces a potential risk of NiV and MARV introduction due to global connectivity.
  • Comprehensive risk assessment requires detailed knowledge of bat reservoirs and virus transmission dynamics.

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