poor the bats. From COVID-19 pandemic We blame them for everything bad that happens to us. It’s true, it looks like the virus developed in his body, although he needed a different type of transition to transition to a human. This remains unclear. Be that as it may, bats are often considered the largest carriers of viruses. Or, at the very least, rats. However, a new study by scientists from University College London shows that it is actually the animal that produces the most infection of other animals with viruses It is he who also holds the title of the greatest predator in history: Human.
In fact, according to the calculations of these scientists, a person infects wild and domestic animals almost twice as many viruses as they infect us. Therefore, although it is very important to consider cases zoonosislike the one that gave rise to Covid-19, we must not leave aside anthroponosis.
This is important to take into account because this study also indicates that the spread of viruses from humans to animals is putting many species at risk. Danger of extinction. We must put aside selfishness and pay attention to the surge in viruses in both directions. From other animals to us, but also from us to them.
Where did they get this data on the spread of viruses?
Many viruses use cellular receptors that are widely distributed between species to be able to jump from one species to another. This is the case with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, which uses ACE-2 receptor infect their owners. But why are there more jumps from people than towards them?
The study was carried out by analyzing the genomes of viruses from 32 widespread families. Knowing the genetic characteristics of the virus, one can trace its evolutionary path. In this case they saw that 64% of virus families analyzed. They passed through humans before moving on to other animal species. This was much more common than the reverse jump.
This, according to the authors of the study, is mainly due to two reasons. On the one hand, man is a species with very large population and are widespread throughout the planet. And on the other hand, this is because we have a strong tendency to change the environment and stress in other speciesmaking them more susceptible to the spread of viruses and other pathogens.
What about mosquitoes?
When wondering which animal is most responsible for spreading viruses to other species, we might first think of bats. The truth is that they are like a gym for viruses, allowing them to easily move from one species to another. It’s because they have very powerful immune systeme, which keeps them from getting sick, but does not kill them completely, so they remain in the body for a long time, mutating and preparing for a change of species.
Despite this, it is not the species that causes the most virus infections. We have already seen that we humans have this record. What about mosquitoes?
In doing so, we must take into account two considerations. First, although they are responsible for millions of viral infections around the world, there are not that many types of them, let alone virus families what they convey. And the second important question is that they are not talking about infection with the virus, but about its transmission. They are not reservoirs of viruses, but vectors. This means that the virus does not infect mosquitoes, but simply uses their body as a vehicle to move from one host to another.
For example, in case West Nile virus, its two main animal reservoirs are birds and horses. Mosquitoes bite them, and then when they bite people, they transmit the virus to them. The insect is simply a messenger.
In short, there is no doubt that if we are going to demonize bats, we should also demonize ourselves. Or better yet, don’t demonize any species and just focus on what’s really important, which is finding ways to avoid viral infections. Come from where they came from and go where they go.
Source: Hiper Textual
