Why are Bats Harmful to Humans?

Many animals become vehicles for spreading the virus to other species, especially humans such as from mosquitoes to mice. But the bats came out on top as the most vulnerable animals spreading zoonotic virus, the virus that infect humans.

Bats are home to more than 60 human penginfeksi virus. Recent research shows that the amount of virus in the body far exceeds the existing bat in mice, rodent mammal known as a source of disease. "There's something different in bats so the more popular viral zoonotic," said David Hayman, wildlife epidemiologist from Colorado State University in the United States, on February 4, 2013.

Bats have become the center of attention in recent years due to its ability to be a host for many viruses. Flying mammals have been shown to carry a number of dangerous viruses, such as rabies and related SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) viruses.

Research also suggests that bats are the original host for the terrible virus, such as ebola and the palm, which causes deadly brain fever in people who are infected. However, the amazing, never bats infected by viruses that exist in the body. Bats only spread the virus from one place to another, so the other animals and human disease.

Bats (a little brown bat is shown here) been shown to carry a number of harmful infections, including rabies and viruses related to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). (Picture from: http://science.nbcnews.com/)

Impressive findings made Hayman and his team left a question: if the bat does have a knack for being the host of zoonotic viruses? To answer that question, researchers compare the ability of bats to rats as a virus host. They found that the mice are host to 179 virus (68 of which zoonoses). While the bat is host to 137 virus (61 types are zoonoses). Although mice carrying zoonotic viruses more, the amount of virus in bats more if calculated per species. Each bat species became host to 1.79 zoonotic virus, whereas mice only 1.48 per virus species. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO 4139]

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