Coronaviruses found in two bat species in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The presence of coronavirus has been found in two bat species seen in four states including Kerala. A study conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), published on Monday states, bats are known reservoirs for a broad range of coronaviruses and are often transmitted to humans through an intermediate host.

Throat swab samples of Rousettus and Pteropus bat species from seven states were screened for the virus. Samples collected from Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu were found positive while samples from Karnataka, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Odisha, Punjab, and Telangana were negative.

Earlier, the Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test conducted in bats had found the presence of Nipah viruses.

The study also says more detailed observation of these bats are required. Antibody surveys should be conducted in humans and pet animals in these regions. Since Kerala is a habitat of different species of bats, caution should be exercised.

 Wildlife department, veterinary department, poultry department and health department should find new systems to find the presence of virus in various animals, the study further says.