Philippine scientists study bats to prevent future pandemics

03/24/2021 Philippines, Science



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Kirk Taray, a bat ecologist, untangles a bat trapped in a net of mist that was placed in front of a building with a bat nest at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), in Los Banos, Laguna Province, Philippines, February 19, 2021. “With the ongoing pandemic, more precautions are being taken into consideration when studying bats. Various measures and protocols are established to protect both researchers and bats. In addition, the quarantine and travel restrictions of the community added difficulties, especially in accessing possible study areas, “said Taray. Eloisa López, Reuters

MANILA – A group of Filipino scientists are touring caves, forests and other sites in the Philippines to collect and study viruses present in bats in an attempt to prevent the next pandemic.

The team aims to capture the country’s 79 bat species, which potentially carry viruses that are fatal in humans and livestock, over the next 3 years, said bat ecologist Phillip Alviola.

“As we all know, bats harbor a lot of potentially infectious diseases or viruses. So what we’re trying to do is determine what viruses are found in these bats and try to develop a simulation model of where. Bat-derived infections they will happen in the Philippines, “he told the ANC on Wednesday.

Many experts believe that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 2.7 million people so far, is related to bats.

Alviola, an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, said they would compare the viruses to those that triggered recent epidemics, such as COVID-19, SARS and MERS.

“So far, we have sampled about 15 to 20 species, but we are trying to study or capture all of them or at least 75 percent of the total number of species,” he said.

“The number of people we are looking for is about 1,000, so our model will be very robust. We could present a much clearer or more realistic picture of the potential areas where viral infections will occur.”

Phillip Alviola, a bat ecologist, takes bat swabs as Kirk Taray records information on Mount Makiling in Los Banos, Laguna Province, Philippines, on March 5, 2021. “The pandemic has provided a more difficult environment to work, but that shouldn’t stop science from providing answers and addressing more questions. We don’t know when this current pandemic will end and it will only be a matter of time to ask when the next outbreak will occur, “Taray said. Eloisa López, Reuters

The 15-person team will also explore the ecological factors that facilitate the transmission of the virus from bats to humans. The study is funded by universities in Japan and Alviola’s team is also seeking additional help from government agencies in the Philippines.

As a precaution against possible infection, investigators will wear personal protective equipment, masks, goggles, and gloves. They also sterilized their clothes, performed symptom checks, and sometimes quarantined themselves after field work.

“We have been working with bats for over 20 years. In essence, we know what to do and all the safety precautions,” Alviola said.

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ANC, Matters of Fact, bats, bat ecologists, Filipino scientists study bats, University of the Philippines-Los Banos, UPLB, Philip Alviola, COVID-19, COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic bats

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