The prevalence of coronaviruses in bats is increasing as human activities intensify

According to a study, bats harbor more zoonotic agents in habitats that have been heavily altered by humans. Human disturbances are a source of chronic stress for wild animals, with well-known immunosuppressive effects. In bats, this is associated with the (re)activation of latent coronaviruses and increased viral shedding.   Human-induced changes to habitats and landscapes are a known factor in the zoonotic transmission of zoonotic agents. A statistical study examined the impact of human activity on the prevalence of coronaviruses in bats on a global scale. And the results are unequivocal: regardless of climate and the level of bat diversity, the intensification of anthropogenic threats is significantly correlated with increased rates of coronavirus infection in these species. This points to activities related to agriculture, deforestation, energy production, transportation, urbanization, and so on.   Over the past twenty years, zoonotic coronaviruses have caused three major epidemics in humans: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by SARS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) caused by MERS-CoV, and COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. As an evolving viral reservoir, bats play a major role in the spread of coronaviruses. In this study, the scientists therefore sought to understand how human activities influence the dynamics of coronavirus infection in this important animal reservoir, with the goal of better managing the risk of transmission of infectious agents from animals to humans. In other words, the goal was to determine whether there was a link between the extent of destruction or reduction of resources essential to bats and the observed infection rates.   And as suspected, hotspots of coronavirus prevalence in bats coincide with regions subject to intense human pressure, suggesting that this prevalence is likely to increase as human impact continues to grow. To predict and mitigate the risk of the spread of potential zoonotic agents, the authors emphasize the need to monitor not only their presence but also their prevalence in wildlife. Indeed, ecological stress caused by environmental change and human disturbances is a major factor in the emergence of zoonotic diseases. This study thus reveals a significant association between anthropogenic stressors and the high prevalence of coronavirus infections in the global bat population.