Health

Is ‘Contagion’-Like Virus Coming? Scientists Identify Bat Flu for First Time

Scientists Identify First Flu Virus in Bats

ATLANTA (The Blaze/AP) — In the 2011 thriller “Contagion”, a hypothetical strain bat flu combined with a swine flu, making a virus of epidemic proportions to which humans were susceptible and without a readily available vaccine. Now, for the first time, scientists have found evidence of flu in bats, reporting a never-before-seen virus whose risk to humans is unclear.

(Related: How accurate is ‘Contagion’ to reality?)

The surprising discovery of genetic fragments of a flu virus is the first well-documented report of it in the winged mammals. So far, scientists haven’t been able to grow it, and it’s not clear if — or how well — it spreads.

Flu bugs are common in humans, birds and pigs and have even been seen in dogs, horses, seals and whales, among others. About five years ago, Russian virologists claimed finding flu in bats, but they never offered evidence.

“Most people are fairly convinced we had already discovered flu in all the possible” animals, said Ruben Donis, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientist who co-authored the new study.

Scientists suspect that some bats caught flu centuries ago and that the virus mutated within the bat population into this new variety. Scientists haven’t even been able to grow the new virus in chicken eggs or in human cell culture, as they do with more conventional flu strains.

But it still could pose a threat to humans. For example, if it mingled with more common forms of influenza, it could swap genes and mutate into something more dangerous, the scenario that was the heart of the global flu epidemic in “Contagion.” Nature has more on the potential implications to human health:

 “We can’t say don’t worry about it, nor can we say it’s not dangerous. We just don’t know yet,” says [...] Donis.

[...]

“We are far away from speculating on any pandemic potential of this virus, but finding this ancient influenza subtype stresses again that bats are an important source of animal viruses,” says Ab Osterhaus, head of virology at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, who was not involved in the work.

The research was posted online Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scientists Identify First Flu Virus in Bats

Yellow shoulder bat (Photo: Michael T. Dixon/Angelo.edu)

The CDC has an international outpost in Guatemala, and that’s where researchers collected more than 300 bats in 2009 and 2010. The research was mainly focused on rabies, but the scientists also checked specimens for other germs and stumbled upon the new virus. It was in the intestines of little yellow-shouldered bats, said Donis, a veterinarian by training.

These bats eat fruit and insects but don’t bite people. Yet it’s possible they could leave the virus on produce and a human could get infected by taking a bite.

It’s conceivable some people were infected with the virus in the past. Now that scientists know what it looks like, they are looking for it in other bats as well as humans and other animals, said Donis, who heads the Molecular Virology and Vaccines Branch in the CDC’s flu division.

At least one expert said CDC researchers need to do more to establish they’ve actually found a flu virus.

Technically, what the CDC officials found was genetic material of a flu virus. They used a lab technique to find genes for the virus and amplify it.

All they found was a segment of genetic material, said Richard “Mick” Fulton, a bird disease researcher at Michigan State University.

What they should do is draw blood from more bats, try to infect other bats and take other steps to establish that the virus is spreading among the animals, he continued. “In my mind, if you can’t grow the virus, how do you know that the virus is there?”

Donis said work is going on to try to infect healthy bats, but noted there are other viruses that were discovered by genetic sequencing but are hard to grow in a lab, including hepatitis C.

Earlier this year, scientists claim to have figured out how to genetically modify bird flu virus, which is not currently transmissible to humans, to potentially infect a human host. The World Health Organization and United States security officials have determined they will prevent publication of the study until they have assessed all the potential risks of revealing this mechanism with regard to biological warfare.

Comments (54)

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  • Bush Hating Conervatives make me sick
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:16pm

    All I know is the movie was Creepy!

    Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:40pm

      Scientists are constantly on the lookout for a virus that they can parlay into a global contagion and release with ZERO concern that a vaccine can be developed in time to save everyone. While, in the end, itself expiring without need for global ‘clean up.’

      So far, no real luck. But, it’s bound to happen. Sooner or later.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • momof5children
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:01pm

    the government can mandate what ever they want, but my family will not take even one vaccine!!! how are they going to “make” you do it???
    and let’s not forget bill gates push and millions for vaccines!!

    Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:11pm

      Obama‘s regime created this virus in bats to destroy America’s food supply. Bats eat several times their own weight nightly in harmful insects.

      Look into Obama’s eyes and you will see the demon who created this bat flu.

      Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 12:43pm

    I no longer believe these flus come from any animal or bird… I think they are man made by mad scientists.. With darker intentions! I hope I am wrong… but explain all the viruses etc that they are always playing with.. Their is something sinister in the air alright.. God help us!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • BobtheMoron
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 12:00pm

    We”re all GONNA DIE!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » BobtheMoron  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 11:06am

    Scientists………..lie and are only trying to make a name for themselves.

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
    • LauraPZ
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:31pm

      Unfortunately, many do. This is what happens, when the government starts paying a “scientists” wages. They become whores for the government. I’ve seen it firsthand.
      And what a joke- MANY pathogens, are difficult or impossible to culture, in vitro.
      Besides- our government, has a way of using Hollywood, to get the sheep used to ideas- before they are sprung upon them.

      Report Post »  
    • MammalOne
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:37pm

      you do realize “the government” doesn’t “hire” scientists. Scientists independently petition several funding sources (only some of which are federally funded), asking them for funding to study a particular topic. The petition process is very competitive, subject to a high degree of scrutiny, and completely open to the public. The paranoia of people on this website is astounding. Not everything is a government-funded conspiracy to lie to your children and convert us all to communism…

      Report Post » MammalOne  
  • objectivetruth
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 9:02am

    .Most of you may think that I‘ve lost it with what I’m about to post.I haven’t.Bats are natures lab incubator and best friend.Almost every disease known and unknown can be traced back to or through them.They are some of the most resilent creatures on the planet.Voracious bug eaters to boot.The only real problems are the vampire bats.If they are left alone even they won’t bother you.Actually I‘d be surprised to discover that they haven’t been exposed to flu and developed immunity.No matter how long ago.They may be the basis for cures of disease and even for anticlotting agents.Whats not to like?
    PS
    Actually some species are truly cute.The rest are so ugly their cute

    Report Post »  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 11:22am

      I’m with you, OBJ. South American fruit bats (flying foxes for non bat people) are cute as hell. I always wanted to keep one as a pet, when I was a kid. Bats rule!

      Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
    • chips1
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 1:07pm

      Another vote for Waxman!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • THXll38
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:41am

    Survival of the fittest. Will the bats win? Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion of Bat Contagion.

    Report Post » THXll38  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:25am

    Huh, I thought bats were dying off from a fungus.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • vaughan
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:38am

    Oh no… Bat virus…wait… is that from the Bat Snot that people want to beat out of Occupiers?

    Report Post »  
  • blanco5
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:36am

    No more flu vaccines for my family. We will take our chances where the odds are better than trusting the gov!

    Report Post »  
  • BelindaB
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:14am

    Complete B/S

    Report Post »  
  • MOLLYPITCHER
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:14am

    You really can’t worry about this stuff. Accept Jesus’ salvation, and in the end it will be ok. It’s wonderful how when you accept Him, you don’t worry so much.

    Report Post »  
  • jcldwl
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:11am

    Did you read the last paragraph. “biological warfare” People it is your choice but I personally avoid flu shots. How do you know what’s in them? I trust only God and my wife now.

    Earlier this year, scientists claim to have figured out how to genetically modify bird flu virus, which is not currently transmissible to humans, to potentially infect a human host. The World Health Organization and United States security officials have determined they will prevent publication of the study until they have assessed all the potential risks of revealing this mechanism with regard to biological warfare.

    Report Post » jcldwl  
    • MOLLYPITCHER
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:16am

      We have sworn off all vaccines for our family. You can’t trust even your doc anymore.

      Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 5:03am

    For some who catch this virus. You won’t notice the difference. The victims will all go batty at the end.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:01am

      Must have already struck … in Washington D.C. ;-)

      Report Post »  
  • Mop
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:44am

    oh, cool! Another fake “animal flu.” Get scared NOW!

    Report Post » Mop  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:19am

    I have had a family of bats living with me for atliest the last 25 years. So far they haven’t been a problem. The unspoken deal is I leave them alone, they get all the bugs, and I can use my backyard. If I start seeing dead bats laying near by I’ll know something is up. I can see it now, CDC agents at my door wanting to exterminate my bats.
    They have to get past my dog first. His name is Chomper…. His brothers name is Chewy.
    They are always in a bad mood.

    Report Post »  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:48am

      I had to sell my house, and there were bats in my attic. We never used the attic because it was a huge house and we didn’t need any extra storage space. Anyway, we weren’t ALLOWED to sell our house with bats in the attic. We had to pay to have them removed by certified bat removers. Bats DO play a part in our environment by eating mice and insects, and the big City near me, is Austin, TX, where there’s a big show where the bats fly out from under a bridge every night. I can’t say that I particularly like bats. They are really ugly creatures.

      Report Post »  
    • 4xeverything
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 7:38am

      They are ugly, but one of nature’s finest bug catchers. Here in Cincinnati, we didn’t have a hard freeze this year. This is the number one indicator that we will have a horrible mosquito problem this year. I’m considering putting up a bat house in my yard. The bats here are brown bats and have a tendancy to stay away from people in general. I’m not worried about them. Although, in Central and South America I would worry a bit about the vampire bats that live off of cattle and pigs. Perhaps that is where the initial strain of flu came from.

      Report Post » 4xeverything  
    • MOLLYPITCHER
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:19am

      @diane
      I think they‘re gross even though they’re necessary. I hate when I go out at dusk and they fly so close to my head. A few years ago my cat caught one in the evening. She was torturing it in the front yard. I got a much closer look at a live bat than I ever care to again.

      Report Post »  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:06am

    first they prepare with movies…then they suddenly discover bat flu ….does this not smell of progressive goverment scare tatics….next it will be mandatory we al take some magical bat flu vaccine…sumtins up

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:16am

      So, when the cr@p hits the fan, I shouldn’t hope Batman comes to save me, because he will give me a horrible disease?…..ok, important safety tip.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • loriann12
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 6:09am

      Yea, I heard there’s a vaccine bubble, just like the housing bubble, about to burst. Meaning, people are wising up that we don’t need all the vaccines or the “adjavent” stuff put in them, but the pharmaceutical companies have invested big time in the vaccines. If the public were to wise up, and quit getting vaccines, the Big Pharma would go broke. The government can’t give a bailout to Big Pharma, but they can make vaccines mandatory. Knowing this administration, they would make the insurance companies cover it for no co-pay and cause the insurance companies to go broke, instead of Big Pharma.

      Report Post »  
  • ZengaPA65
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 3:00am

    Na na na na na na Bat Flu!

    Report Post » ZengaPA65  
    • ghostsouls
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 3:16am

      Here it comes this years boondoggle for big pharma, kick backs by obama. There will be gloom and doom, and a must get a shot now or die commercials and news reports. Then obama will buy up a bunch of vaccines like always, then they just sit and go to waste and get thrown down the toilet. But our tax payer money will go to big pharma to help defray the cost of getting obama in the white house. We all pay.

      Report Post » ghostsouls  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:02am

      mutated a flu virus that previously did not affect us to one that did. and what, pray tell, did that accomplish? beside putting us at risk for another man-killer like aids, lymes disease, et al, that threaten our lives. What is to the accomplishment of such atrocities to mankind???

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:55am

    …
    Just one Bat can eat thousands of mosquitoes and other bugs per night.
    Just one Honey Bee can pollinate two thousand plants per day.

    Mysteriously, Bees have contracted fatal diseases, and are drastically declining in numbers.
    Now Bats are possibly diseased, and will decrease in number due to illness and to humans destroying them, to end the spread of the flu.
    This whole mess smells of Government involvement.

    Without Bees and Bats, the eco-system will be askew, and humans will have a very hard time producing crops.
    The Government wants to control every bite of food we consume. Why do you think hybrid seeds were created? Some day soon, we will be totally dependent on Government greenhouse grown crops.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:45am

    To Control the People… Control the Media, Guns, & Food!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Bonnieblue2A
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:35am

    Frankly, I’m more concerned about the fungus killing the bats that appears to be tied to GMO crops. If our pollinators die off, as some signs indicate they are, we will no longer be able to grow food.

    Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on February 28, 2012 at 4:34am

      Oh, we will be able to grow food,,,but we’ll be out in the fields pollinating the flowers with q-tips.

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:31am

    …
    In my opinion, most flu viruses are Government Scientist created.
    They throw these viruses out into the public, to get rid of thousands of people per year, as population control.
    Population control is why Government is for abortion, and why they won’t let scientist cure any viruses, or diseases such as cancer and AIDS.

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:23am

    Leave Battney ALONE!!!!!!

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • chameleonx
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:21am

    Hopefully nothing bad will come from this flu and we can find a good cure. Isn’t science scary and amazing at the same time?

    Report Post »  
  • PoliticalTs.com
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 2:19am

    Cool, one more paranoid thing for me to worry about. I think I’ll ignore this and just make more videos like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhDPHb2RXI4

    Report Post »  
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