Translation exclusive: Scientists discover Kiwira virus – a type of hantavirus – in free-tailed bats in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, a disease in which the virus can kill up to a third of those infected.
According to the “Daily Mail” newspaper, Dr. Sabrina Weiss, head of public health at the Center for International Health Protection in Berlin, revealed details of the new virus in the journal Viruses, and noted that free-tailed bats cover ‘large areas’ of sub-Saharan Africa.
Since this species is known to roost “in and around human habitation,” Sabrina warned, “the potential spread of the Kywera virus to humans must be taken into account.”
The researchers said that Hantavirus often causes general symptoms similar to fever, so it may be difficult to detect, which is why no human infection has been detected so far.