A Study of Bats

A study carried out by researchers at CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), in Geelong Victoria, looks at ways to prevent bats from spreading disease.

The study has been led by Dr. Linfa Wang who has highlighted the importance of understanding ‘host-switching’, where a virus spreads from a host species to a new one. The study shows that although bats, because of their efficient immune systems do not suffer from diseases themselves, they carry the virus and affect other species of animals and even humans.

Deadly Animal Diseases Poised to Cross-over to Humans
Warning bells are ringing against the rising threat from new diseases passing from animals to humans, say scientists.

Some of the diseases they carry include Hendra, Ebola, and SARS.

A research programme is being planned by CSIRO to study the ‘viral radar’, the immune system of bats and also strategies to control the spread of viruses. The programme was announced by Dr. Linfa Wang the 1st International One Health Congress in Melbourne.

Scientists Develop Method to Track Immune System Enzyme in Live Animals
The activity of an enzyme believed to play a crucial role both in the normal immune response as well as autoimmunity and B cell tumor development

Source-Medindia

Human Antibody Therapy Against Deadly Nipah Virus Shows Potential
A major step forward in the development of an effective therapy against two deadly viruses, Nipah virus and the related Hendra virus has been reported