Studying Bats to Prevent Future Pandemics: Insights from Ghana’s Bat OneHealth Project

Scientists in Ghana are studying bats to gain insights into preventing future pandemics. As human encroachment on bat habitats increases, so does the risk of viral spillovers. Researchers at the University of Ghana are analyzing bat droppings to study the pathogens they carry. The scientists are particularly interested in paramyxoviruses and coronaviruses, which can cause illnesses such as mumps and respiratory tract infections in humans. The bats themselves are “reservoirs” for these viruses, carrying them without falling ill. The researchers are also testing for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in bat droppings. Deforestation and mining in Ghana have destroyed bat habitats, increasing the contact between humans and bats. Some experts believe that bushmeat markets, where bats and other wild animals are sold, are potential hotspots for disease transmission. While there are calls to ban these markets, researchers like Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Mensah argue that a total ban could have serious implications for the communities that rely on the bushmeat trade. In the face of increasing zoonotic spillovers due to climate change, it is essential to understand bats and their immune systems better to protect global health.