Distribution range of Ebola virus carriers in Africa may be larger than previously assumed

Date:
September 8, 2020
Source:
Goethe University Frankfurt
Summary:
Zaire ebolavirus is among the deadliest of all known Ebola viruses
for humans and is most likely transmitted by various species of
bats. New models show where these species may thrive in Africa. The
results of the study suggest a wider range of distribution for
the bat and fruit bat species than previously assumed.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The Ebola virus is considered one of the world's most dangerous pathogens.

During the most severe outbreak to date in West Africa, over 11,000
deaths were documented between 2014 and 2016. Single cases are repeatedly reported from Europe as well, which are connected to previous travels
to affected regions. An important source of infection are so-called
reservoir hosts that carry the virus without being affected by it. For
the various types of the Ebola virus, the most likely involve reservoir
hosts are various species of bats and fruit bats.


==========================================================================
For the first time, scientists investigated where nine of such bat and
fruit bat species may encounter suitable habitats and climatic conditions
in Africa.

"Zaire ebolavirus is one of the most dangerous Ebola viruses. It kills
up to 88 percent of those infected with it. To prevent or curb outbreaks
of this virus, it is essential to know exactly where potential hotspots
of infection may lurk," explains parasitologist Prof. Dr. Sven Klimpel
of the Goethe University in Frankfurt and the Senckenberg Biodiversity
and Climate Research Centre.

Based on ecological niche modeling, his team was able to show that the respective bat and fruit bat species are able to thrive in West and
East Africa, including large parts of Central Africa. A wide belt of
potential habitats extends from Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia in the
west across the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo and
the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Sudan and Uganda in the East. A
few of the studied bats and fruit bats may even occur in the eastern
part of South Africa.

In a second step, the researchers compared the potential habitats with
range maps of the bat and fruit bat species that were generated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the basis
of observations of these animals. In addition, the team considered where
a Zaire ebolavirus endemic has broken out in the past. The results were surprising: "The modeled habitats of the Zaire ebolavirus hosts are
larger than their previously known ranges. It is possible that the bats
and fruit bats have not yet been able to reach habitats beyond these
ranges due to the presence of certain barriers," says Klimpel.

"Another, more worrying explanation could be that science has hitherto underestimated the range of Ebola-transmitting bat and fruit bat
species. In this case, the models would provide a more realistic picture," explains Dr.

Lisa Koch, the study's lead author from Goethe University. Regions
affected by Ebola outbreaks often suffer not only from health effects,
but also from economic and social effects of the epidemic. The study's
findings suggest to keep a closer eye on diseases that occur in the
modeled ranges of the reservoir hosts and to inform the public about
potential Ebola infections, ultimately alleviating the consequences of
an epidemic.

With regard to Europe, Klimpel states: "Ebola viruses, just like the
SARS-CoV- 2 (Coronavirus), are viruses from the animal kingdom that can
be transmitted to humans. It can be expected that diseases of this type
will occur more frequently in the future, since humans have increasing
contact with wild animals, and globalization facilitates the spread of
viruses around the world.

In Europe, with its overall efficient health system, Ebola infections are certainly going to remain isolated incidents in the future. Nonetheless,
in view of these trends it would be beneficial to intensively train
and further educate physicians and nursing personnel in the treatment
of tropical infectious diseases in our latitudes as well." To study
and understand nature with its limitless diversity of living creatures
and to preserve and manage it in a sustainable fashion as the basis of
life for future generations -- this has been the goal of the Senckenberg Gesellschaft fu"r Naturforschung (Senckenberg Nature Research Society)
for 200 years. This integrative "geobiodiversity research" and the dissemination of research and science are among Senckenberg's main
tasks. Three nature museums in Frankfurt, Go"rlitz and Dresden display
the diversity of life and the earth's development over millions of
years. The Senckenberg Nature Research Society is a member of the
Leibniz Association. The Senckenberg Nature Museum in Frankfurt am Main
is supported by the City of Frankfurt am Main as well as numerous other partners.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Goethe_University_Frankfurt. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Lisa K. Koch, Sarah Cunze, Judith Kochmann, Sven Klimpel. Bats as
putative Zaire ebolavirus reservoir hosts and their habitat
suitability in Africa. Scientific Reports, 2020; 10 (1) DOI:
10.1038/s41598-020- 71226-0 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200908113308.htm

--- up 2 weeks, 1 day, 6 hours, 50 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1337:3/111)