Bats, emerging infectious diseases, and the rabies paradigm revisited

Abstract

The significance of bats as sources of emerging infectious diseases has been increasingly appreciated, and new data have been accumulated rapidly during recent years. For some emerging pathogens the bat origin has been confirmed (such as lyssaviruses, henipaviruses, coronaviruses), for other it has been suggested (filoviruses). Several recently identified viruses remain to be “orphan” but have a potential for further emergence (such as Tioman, Menangle and Pulau viruses). In the present review we summarize information on major bat-associated emerging infections; discuss specific characteristics of bats as carriers of pathogens (from evolutionary, ecological, and immunological positions). We also discuss drivers and forces of an infectious disease emergence, and describe various existing and potential approaches for control and prevention of such infections at individual, populational, and societal levels. Keywords: bats, Chiroptera, emerging infectious disease, rabies, lyssavirus, coronavirus, filovirus, henipavirus, prevention, control (Published: 20 June 2011) Citation: Emerging Health Threats Journal 2011, 4: 7159 - DOI: 10.3402/ehtj.v4i0.7159