China Discovers 20 New Bat Viruses, Raises Concerns for Human Health

Scientists have discovered 20 new viruses within bats in China, including one closest to Hendra and Nipah viruses, which cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans. The discovery raises concerns about the risk of these viruses spilling into humans or livestock, particularly as the bats were captured near villages. Virologists call for intensified surveillance and biosecurity measures.

Scientists have discovered 20 new viruses within bats in China, including one closely related to the deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses. These viruses, which can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans, were found in the kidneys of bats collected in Yunnan province between 2017 and 2021 [1].

The discovery raises urgent concerns about the risk of these viruses spilling into humans or livestock, particularly as the bats were captured near villages. Virologists have called for intensified surveillance and biosecurity measures to monitor and mitigate the potential threat [2].

The viruses were identified using genetic sequencing and found in the kidneys of bats, which are linked to urine production. This raises the alarm about potential human exposure through contaminated fruits or water [1]. The study also uncovered a previously unknown single-celled parasite named Klossiella yunnanensis and two highly-abundant bacterial species, including one described for the first time [1].

The two viruses of most concern, Yunnan bat henipavirus 1 and 2, share 52 to 57 percent of their genetic material with Hendra and Nipah viruses. The discovery marks the first full-length genomes of this virus type detected in Chinese bats [1].

The research highlights Yunnan as a critical region for zoonotic emergence due to its climate similarity to Nipah-affected parts of the world, such as Malaysia [1]. The findings suggest a broader range of microbial threats may be harbored in under-studied tissues, potentially increasing the risk of zoonotic transmission [1].

Bat-borne viruses have been implicated in several major zoonotic disease outbreaks, including Ebola, Marburg, SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. These pathogens can jump to humans directly or through intermediate hosts, often via ingestion of contaminated food or water [1].

The discovery of these new viruses echoes the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, which probably began within a Chinese bat. However, there is no evidence that any humans have been infected by the newly discovered viruses, and the risk is considered low but requires further surveillance [2].

The study underscores the importance of monitoring bat populations for emerging infectious diseases. Protecting bat habitats and managing human-animal interfaces can help reduce the risk of new disease outbreaks [2].

References:
[1] Kuang, G., Yang, T., Yang, W., Wang, J., Pan, H., Pan, Y., Gou, Q., Wu, W., Wang, J., Yang, L., Han, X., Chen, Y., Eden, J.-S., Holmes, E. C., Shi, M., & Feng, Y. (2025). Infectome analysis of bat kidneys from Yunnan province, China, reveals novel henipaviruses related to Hendra and Nipah viruses and prevalent bacterial and eukaryotic microbes. PLOS Pathogens, 21(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013235
[2] Angus Dalton. (2025, June 25). Urgent concerns after 20 new bat viruses discovered in China. The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/urgent-concerns-after-20-new-bat-viruses-discovered-in-china-20250624-p5m9sy.html