Rospotrebnadzor conducted a study that made it possible to detect the presence of coronaviruses in bats living in Russia. Experts told how dangerous this can be for people.
As a result of the research that Rospotrebnadzor specialists began to conduct at the end of August, it became known about the presence of coronaviruses in bats living in different regions of Russia, Anna Speranskaya, head of the genomics and post-genomic research group of the Central Research Institute for Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, told RIA News.
The study was initiated to assess the ways viruses develop and spread, as well as epidemic risks.
According to Speranskaya, it has not yet been possible to find out which coronaviruses are present in bats. However, during the study, scientists identified genome sequences of a number of other viruses that are not related to coronaviruses.
The expert noted that bats pose no greater danger to humans than foxes and hedgehogs, which are also carriers of dangerous viruses. To avoid infection, it is enough not to touch animals and not ruin their habitats.
Scientists will receive the final data after about two years, during which the research will continue.
Photo: from open sources