Bat virus fragments turn up in fertilizer sold in Thai markets, study finds
Researchers have found the first genetic evidence of bat-borne viruses within commercially sold bat guano fertilizer in Thailand. However, the viral strains the team detected are not known to infect humans. Moreover, since the researchers only identified fragments of viral RNA and did not isolate live, intact viruses, they could not confirm if the genetic […]
Researchers in Thailand have discovered the genetic remnants of bat-borne viruses in commercially sold bat guano fertilizer. The study, led by medical microbiologist Thachawech Kimprasit of Mahidol University in Bangkok, identified fragments of Alphacoronaviruses and Betacoronaviruses within 41 samples of the fertilizer, commonly used in agriculture.
However, these viral strains are not known to infect humans. The researchers emphasize that the findings do not confirm an active threat to human health, as they only detected viral RNA fragments and did not isolate live viruses. The study suggests that viral genetic material from bats can persist in the environment and within retail products, raising concerns about biosecurity protocols for those handling the fertilizer.
The croslet horseshoe bat, a cave-dwelling species common in mainland Southeast Asia, is considered the most likely natural host of the identified viruses.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
