Twenty novel viruses have been found in Chinese bats by scientists; medical professionals caution that this finding may have “critical implications” for global public health.

Researchers examined the kidneys of 142 bats from 10 species that were gathered during a four-year period throughout the southwest Chinese province of Yunnan for the study, which was published in the PLOS Pathogens journal.

Twenty of the 22 viruses that were found were previously unreported.

However, the other two henipaviruses—one of which is now the closest known relative of the deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses—discovered in fruit bats residing close to fruit orchards surrounding nearby settlements were of the utmost worry.

In addition to causing serious respiratory and brain inflammation in people, the infections, which are transferred by urine, have fatality rates ranging from 40 to 80 percent and pose a serious risk to cattle.

Urine can spread both viruses, raising concerns about possible fruit contamination that could infect humans or animals if they eat the contaminated food.

“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,” the study’s authors wrote.

“The similarity between Australian rural environments and Yunnan’s orchards near human settlements stresses the urgency of intensified surveillance and biosecurity measures,” Associate Professor Balasubramaniam said.

According to Dr. Alison Peel, a wildlife disease specialist at the University of Sydney, this specific discovery brought to light the “possible opportunities for contact” with people.

Doctor Peel told The Courier-Mail that her research on the Hendra virus spill over in Australia, which was published in 2023, “has demonstrated clear links between habitat destruction, loss of natural food, and increased spill over risk – so this may also be the case in China.”

Dr. Yong Gao (Nias) Peng, a virologist, cautioned that the discoveries have “critical implications” for public health in Australia and around the world.

“While the findings are based on bat kidney samples and do not confirm imminent outbreaks, they reveal how much we still don’t know about the microbes bats carry,” Dr Peng said.

“Given Australia’s history with Hendra virus outbreaks since its emergence in 1994 to cause multiple fatal infections in horses and humans, this underscores the importance of continued vigilance in rural and peri-urban areas close to bat habitats.”

Aussies urged to get Covid booster shot

It comes as calls for Australians to receive the Covid booster shot have grown. A new contagious variant of the virus, which is already spreading abroad, is predicted to cause a winter wave in the nation.

Earlier this month, national data revealed that 1.3 million doses of the Covid vaccine had been given to adults aged 18 and over, and that little over 6% of Australians had received a booster shot since the start of the year.

“To know that those rates are down is a worry because we still see people in hospital,” Deakin University Professor and Epidemiology Chair Catherine Bennett told news.com.au.

“While we now thankfully see fewer deaths due to Covid … in 2024, they’re still five times higher than influenza. So Covid is still something to worry about.”

It is anticipated that the NB. 1.8.1 variety, which is a descendant of the Omicron JN. 1, would overtake all other variants in Australia as winter draws near.

“It’s quite infectious. So it’s one that’s particularly capable of latching on to our respiratory linings,” Professor Bennett said.

“We’re seeing it right across the globe and it has that advantage that it’s easier to spread and we’re not as immune to it.”

“So it will be one that drives our winter wave here.”