Scientist discovers new ‘bat virus’ infecting humans; but that's not 'Nipah'

Scientists have identified a new strange virus that is infecting humans that seems like Nipah but is different than the specific type.

A team of researchers in Bangladesh has identified a bat-borne virus, also known as Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV), in patients who were initially suspected of having Nipah virus but tested negative.

Researchers informed that all infected patients had recently consumed raw date-palm sap, a known pathway for bat-related infections.

Genetic analysis also confirmed live virus in several samples, pointing to active human infection.

The finding raises concerns that dangerous bat viruses may be circulating undetected.

How was the bat-borne virus identified?

Researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, studying infectious diseases, have discovered a bat-borne virus in stored throat swab samples and virus cultures from five patients in Bangladesh.

These individuals were originally suspected of having Nipah virus infection but later tested negative.

The finding of places of the bat virus among the growing number of animal-to-human viruses identified in the country indicates it should be considered when doctors evaluate illnesses that resemble Nipah.

How was the bat virus transmitted?

All patients that had recently consumed raw date palm sap, a sweet liquid commonly collected during winter and frequently visited by bats, got infected by the virus.

This sap is already known as a major pathway for Nipah virus transmission, as bats are recognized as natural hosts for many zoonotic viruses, including rabies, Nipah, Hendra, Marburg, and SARS-CoV-1.

"Our findings show that the risk of disease associated with raw date palm sap consumption extends beyond Nipah virus," said senior author of the study, Nischay Mishra from the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII), Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Symptoms of Bat Virus:

Between December 2022 and March 2023, the five patients were hospitalized with symptoms typical of Nipah virus infection, including fever, vomiting, headache, fatigue, increased salivation, and neurological issues.

The patients were identified through a Nipah virus surveillance program jointly run by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh; the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh; and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The research was originally published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Additionally, scientists assume there are a huge number of undetected cases of bat-like viruses infecting humans that are undiagnosed at the moment.