Coronaviruses Found in Two Indian Bats
According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), researchers have a different kind of coronavirus in two bat species.Watch our latest video for all the details.
According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), researchers have a different kind of coronavirus in two bat species from Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. In total 25 bats were found positive. Now in places where the bats have tested positive, other animals and humans are also being tested to make sure it hasn’t spread. Dr Pragya D Yadav, Scientist at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune who conducted the research said that, till now they have found no proof that these bat coronaviruses can cause disease in humans. But they are still researching.
The aim of the study is to identify the various types of Coronaviruses in bats in India. She said the viruses do not have any relation to the COVID-19 virus. Earlier in 2018 & 2019 Indian Bats had tested for the Nipah virus as well. Bats have many viruses in them. Some do not spread to humans and some do. Hence it is important to continue studying bats and their viruses. Because nowadays it has become very difficult to make sure Bats and humans do not come in contact with each other. Hence research is important.
