Researchers in China discovered two new henipaviruses in bats that could lead to severe infections in humans, raising concerns over zoonotic transmission. The study, which analyzed bat kidneys, revealed 22 viruses, including 20 previously unseen, with a focus on new viruses closely related to Nipah and Hendra. The relevant bats were found in areas near human villages, indicating a potential route for transmission through contaminated fruit. As no vaccines or treatments are available, these findings highlight the urgent need for monitoring zoonotic diseases stemming from bat populations.
By analysing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, we uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry, but also the first full-length genomes of novel bat-borne henipaviruses closely related to Hendra and Nipah viruses identified in China.
These findings broaden our understanding of the bat kidney infectome, underscore critical zoonotic threats and highlight the need for comprehensive, full-spectrum microbial analyses of previously understudied organs to better assess spillover risks from bat populations.
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