Leaving bats undisturbed is key to preventing future pandemics

In a new analysis in The Lancet Planetary Health, the urgent message rings out clearly: Let's leave bats alone if we want to avoid future pandemics. Crucially preventing such outbreaks depends on global cooperation and a collective commitment to respect bat habitats, allowing these extraordinary creatures to thrive undisturbed.

Over the years, bats have been associated with disease outbreaks, including the 2003 SARS coronavirus and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, both of which originated from bat viruses. While the exact mechanisms of how the virus jumps from bats to humans remain unclear, the paper's authors stress the need for action, regardless of the details.

Bats are hosts for many viruses

Scientists have long known that bats carry numerous viruses that pose potential threats to various species, including humans. From the rabies virus to filoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and coronaviruses such as MERS and Ebola strains, bats have been identified as hosts for these infectious agents.

In their comprehensive analysis, the experts advocate for a global pact, an unwritten "bat taboo," in which humanity pledges to respect bat habitats, refrain from interference, and allow these creatures to coexist peacefully. Activities such as hunting, culling, or attempts to drive away bats only serve to disperse them, potentially increasing the chances of zoonotic spread, the transmission of viruses from animals to humans.

Dr. Susan Lieberman of the Wildlife Conservation Society emphasizes that humanity's commitment not to hunt, eat or trade bats, to avoid their burrows and to preserve their natural habitats can certainly lessen the likelihood of another pandemic.

Prevent zoonotic virus transmission effectively

Taking such measures is not just about reducing the risk of future outbreaks; it also provides numerous ecological benefits. Bats play a crucial role in controlling mosquito populations, pollinating essential crops, and providing other invaluable ecosystem services worth billions of dollars.

The authors conclude that while it is crucial to examine interactions with all animal species, ensuring space bats need is the most accessible step to prevent future pandemics. As we commemorate the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes even more evident that humanity must mend its fractured relationship with nature.

The study, titled "An Immediate Way to Reduce Pandemic Risk: (Not) Harnessing the Low-Dark Fruit (Bat)," carries significant weight, as it was conducted by experts from Cornell University and the Conservation Society of the Wild life.

The research underscores the need for global cooperation and action, not only in preventing pandemics but also in addressing existential challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem collapse.

Published on June 5, 2023, the study significantly contributes to the ongoing discourse on preventing future pandemics and the importance of conserving ecosystems. It reinforces the need to respect and protect the natural world, particularly bat habitats, and calls for collective action to safeguard our shared future on this planet.

Bats, the only mammals capable of sustained flight, belong to the order Chiroptera, with more than 1,400 species worldwide. They perform various functions in ecosystems, from consuming insects for pest control to serving as pollinators and seed dispersers. While they can be reservoirs for viruses, their unique immune systems often keep them intact.

Protect bats, conserve ecosystems, preserve

Unfortunately, bats face numerous threats globally, including habitat loss, hunting, climate change, and disease. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect and preserve these extraordinary creatures and maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

Zoonotic disease transmission, where diseases pass from animals to humans, occurs through various routes, including direct contact, indirect transmission, food chain contamination, and airborne spread. Animals such as bats, rodents, primates, and birds are known to harbor diseases that can spread to human populations. Disturbance of ecosystems and animal habitats by human activities increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Understanding and mitigating zoonotic transmission is vital for public health. Recent outbreaks such as H1N1 influenza, Ebola, SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 highlight the need for a "One Health" approach, considering the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. By preserving animal habitats and maintaining respectful distances, we can minimize the risk of future pandemics.

Keep Reading

• Temperature over all ice-free oceans for May 2023 was highest on record
• Time has gone, We can’t save Arctic from becoming ice free in summers
• Global North owes India $57 trillion in compensation for climate damages

You can connect with Ground Report on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, and Whatsapp and Subscribe to our YouTube channel. For suggestions and writeups mail us at GReport2018@gmail.com.