Fruit bats in Kerala have been found to be carriers of the deadly Nipah virus, a fact that raises many questions about the relationship between these bats and human health. As members of the Pteropodidae family, fruit bats largely feed on fruits. Unlike their insectivorous counterparts that use echolocation to hunt, fruit bats primarily rely on their potent sense of smell. Also known as flying foxes, these bats are abundant in South and Southeast Asia.
Understanding Fruit Bats
Fruit bats, or flying foxes as they’re often called, belong to the Pteropodidae family. The Pteropus genus within this family is known to be the natural host of the Nipah virus. This species locates its diet of fruit using their strong sense of smell, which sets them apart from insectivorous bats that use echolocation for finding their prey.
The Nipah Virus and Its Connection to Fruit Bats
The Nipah virus can reside in a fruit bat’s body without causing any illness to the bat. This dormant nature allows the virus a chance to transfer to other susceptible mammals such as humans or pigs when the bats interact with them. The National Institute of Virology discovered that the transmission of this virus initially occurred from fruit bats identified as Pteropus spp. During outbreaks in Bangladesh, antibodies against the Nipah virus were spotted in the Indian flying fox.
Identifying the Source of Nipah Infection
Recognizing the origin of Nipah infection is crucial for curbing its further spread. The Nipah virus is known for its spillover effect, i.e., it seems to have moved from bats to humans in one instance, and subsequently shifted from one human to another.
| Disease | Bat Species |
|---|---|
| Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) | Insectivorous Bats |
| Ebola | Hammer-headed Fruit Bat |
| Variety of Other Viruses | Indian Flying Fox |
Why Are Bats Linked to Many Diseases?
All bat species, amounting to around 1,200, are capable of carrying viruses, some of which can be lethal to humans. For example, antibodies of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have been found in insectivorous bats, while Ebola antibodies have been detected in Hammer-headed fruit bats. The Indian Flying Fox hosts over 50 types of viruses.
Interestingly, bats make up about 20% of the earth’s mammalian diversity. The extended periods of flying experienced by these animals increase their body temperature and boost their immune responses, allowing them to survive the pathogenic effects of the microbes they carry.
