New research suggests young bats might be a key source of viral spillover, as the immunity from their mums wane.

Coronaviruses are common in bats, though they don’t tend to cause any issues unless they spill over into bridging animals, which might then infect humans.

This is becoming more common because of habitat destruction and environmental stressors.

Guest/s

• Dr Alison Peel, veterinarian and wildlife disease ecologist at the University of Sydney

References

• Synchronized seasonal excretion of multiple coronaviruses coincides with high rates of coinfection in immature bats