Post by L Roebuck on Sept 30, 2005 10:16:42 GMT -5
SARS tests designed to outfox flying ferals
By Deborah Smith Science Editor
October 1, 2005
Tests of Australian bats for the SARS virus are planned after the discovery that wild bats were almost certainly the source of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome that killed 774 people worldwide two years ago.
Australian, Chinese and American researchers surveyed more than 400 bats in China and found that three species of cave-dwelling horseshoe bats harboured viruses that were very closely related to the SARS virus.
One team member, Linfa Wang, of the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, said the find highlighted the need for more research on the animals: "We hope this is a wake-up call. It is highly likely there are more SARS-related viruses to be discovered in bats."
Dr Wang said eastern Australia was home to two of the world's 69 species of horseshoe bats, and tests on colonies were planned. Previous tests on fruit bats, also called flying foxes, had proved negative for SARS-like viruses.
Hume Field, of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, who is also a team member, said more needed to be learnt about how viruses jump from bats to other animals and people. "This is crucial if we are to manage the risk of future outbreaks," Dr Field said.
SARS emerged in southern China in 2002 and by the middle of 2003 had infected more than 8000 people in more than 20 countries.
The culprit was a previously unknown member of the coronavirus family, which usually causes only mild respiratory infections in people.
Initially masked palm civets - cat-sized mammals common in Chinese markets - were thought to be the natural hosts, because many were found to be infected with the SARS virus. However, tests on wild and farmed civets were negative, ruling them out.
Dr Wang said bats could carry other viruses harmful to animals and humans without becoming ill. "It was these characteristics and the fact that bats are present in Asian food markets that led us to survey them."
The results of the survey of nine bat species from four locations in China, were published yesterday by the journal Science.
Dr Wang said the SARS-like viruses found in the insect-eating horseshoe bats were genetically very variable in one region, which could mean current tests and therapies for SARS would not work effectively against them if they spread from bats to people.
www.smh.com.au/news/national/sars-tests-designed-to-outfox-flying-ferals/2005/09/30/1127804662730.html
By Deborah Smith Science Editor
October 1, 2005
Tests of Australian bats for the SARS virus are planned after the discovery that wild bats were almost certainly the source of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome that killed 774 people worldwide two years ago.
Australian, Chinese and American researchers surveyed more than 400 bats in China and found that three species of cave-dwelling horseshoe bats harboured viruses that were very closely related to the SARS virus.
One team member, Linfa Wang, of the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, said the find highlighted the need for more research on the animals: "We hope this is a wake-up call. It is highly likely there are more SARS-related viruses to be discovered in bats."
Dr Wang said eastern Australia was home to two of the world's 69 species of horseshoe bats, and tests on colonies were planned. Previous tests on fruit bats, also called flying foxes, had proved negative for SARS-like viruses.
Hume Field, of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, who is also a team member, said more needed to be learnt about how viruses jump from bats to other animals and people. "This is crucial if we are to manage the risk of future outbreaks," Dr Field said.
SARS emerged in southern China in 2002 and by the middle of 2003 had infected more than 8000 people in more than 20 countries.
The culprit was a previously unknown member of the coronavirus family, which usually causes only mild respiratory infections in people.
Initially masked palm civets - cat-sized mammals common in Chinese markets - were thought to be the natural hosts, because many were found to be infected with the SARS virus. However, tests on wild and farmed civets were negative, ruling them out.
Dr Wang said bats could carry other viruses harmful to animals and humans without becoming ill. "It was these characteristics and the fact that bats are present in Asian food markets that led us to survey them."
The results of the survey of nine bat species from four locations in China, were published yesterday by the journal Science.
Dr Wang said the SARS-like viruses found in the insect-eating horseshoe bats were genetically very variable in one region, which could mean current tests and therapies for SARS would not work effectively against them if they spread from bats to people.
www.smh.com.au/news/national/sars-tests-designed-to-outfox-flying-ferals/2005/09/30/1127804662730.html