Potential for Introduction of Bat-Borne Zoonotic Viruses into the EU: A Review

Viruses

Robin R. L. Simons¹  Paul Gale²  Verity Horigan²  Emma L. Snary² 

[1]Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Epidemiology, Surveillance & Risk Group, New Haw, Surrey, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK

关键词: bats;    viruses;    Nipah;    Marburg;    European Union;    risk;   

DOI  :  10.3390/v6052084

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Bat-borne viruses can pose a serious threat to human health, with examples including Nipah virus (NiV) in Bangladesh and Malaysia, and Marburg virus (MARV) in Africa. To date, significant human outbreaks of such viruses have not been reported in the European Union (EU). However, EU countries have strong historical links with many of the countries where NiV and MARV are present and a corresponding high volume of commercial trade and human travel, which poses a potential risk of introduction of these viruses into the EU. In assessing the risks of introduction of these bat-borne zoonotic viruses to the EU, it is important to consider the location and range of bat species known to be susceptible to infection, together with the virus prevalence, seasonality of viral pulses, duration of infection and titre of virus in different bat tissues. In this paper, we review the current scientific knowledge of all these factors, in relation to the introduction of NiV and MARV into the EU.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
© 2014 Crown Copyright.