Continent-wide panmixia of an African fruit bat facilitates transmission of potentially zoonotic viruses
This species has been identified as a reservoir of potentially zoonotic viruses, but uncertainties remain about viral transmission
Abstract
The straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, is Africa’s most widely distributed and commonly hunted fruit bat, often living in close proximity to human populations. This species has been identified as a reservoir of potentially zoonotic viruses, but uncertainties remain regarding viral transmission dynamics and mechanisms of persistence. Here we combine genetic and serological analyses of populations across Africa, to determine the extent of epidemiological connectivity among E. helvum populations.
Citation
Peel, A.J., Sargan, D.R., Baker, K.S., Hayman, D.T.S., Barr, J.A., Crameri, G., Suu-Ire, R., Broder, C.C., Lembo, T., Wang, L.F., Fooks, A.R., Rossiter, S.J., Wood, J.L.N., Cunningham, A.A., Continent-wide panmixia of an African fruit bat facilitates transmission of potentially zoonotic viruses, Nature Communications, vol.4, 2013