British bats could be harboring a coronavirus that will trigger the next pandemic, according to new research. The furry mammals may hold the key to avoiding future COVID-style health crises, say scientists. An analysis of 16 of the 17 species native to the UK found they warrant closer monitoring for prevention measures. It will help identify contagious illnesses with potential for being passed to humans. The finding is based on an analysis of 48 faecal samples. One, from the lesser horseshoe bat, was able to bind to a ‘gateway’ enzyme ACE2 which the SARS-CoV-2 virus uses to enter human cells. COVID-19 is believed to have emerged in horseshoe bats in China.
‘’Working with a network of conservationists and bat rehabilitators has been most fruitful in documenting the diversity of coronaviruses that is present in British bats, and which had been so far overlooked. This collaborative work forms the basis for future zoonotic surveillance and conservation efforts given the importance that bats play in our ecosystems” said Professor Vincent Savolainen, lead author, Imperial College London.
