Another Strain of Coronavirus Found in Mindanao Bat Species, New Research Says
The University of the Philippines in Mindanao conduct research and discovered another strain of coronavirus in bat species in Mindanao.
Lead researcher Lyre Anni Murao is conducting a research study about several bat species in Davao for already three years. Murao found a virus among “macroglossus minimus” or commonly known as long-tongued nectar bat.
The researcher reported that these bat species are reservoirs of viruses indicating that they contain viruses that are not affecting them. One out of 49 bats contains betacoronavirus based on the laboratory results.
“Coronaviruses have been living with these bats for a very long time already. Interestingly, we also found out that these coronaviruses belong to a different group compared to the SARS and the MERS coronaviruses,” Murao said.
The Department of Health Director of Epidemiology Bureau Dr. Ferchito Avelino explained that the 2019 novel coronavirus stemmed came from the same betacoronavirus family came from the Mindanao bat species.
Avelino also said that Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) also stemmed from the family of betacoronavirus. This virus causes illnesses such as common cold and other severe diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also reported that some types of coronaviruses are circulating in animals but not yet infected humans.
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