The new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) that has plagued us terribly for the last three years. First discovered in a fish market in Wuhan, China, this infectious disease is a zoonotic disease, and according to what is known so far, it most likely originated from wild animals. Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans, and include not only Corona 19, but also rabies, bird flu, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). In the case of Corona 19, ‘bats’ are identified as the most likely virus host.
Bats, which coexist with a number of viruses, are emerging as a key to responding to future infectious diseasesㅣSource: Getty Image Bank
Bats lump virus, hope to prevent infectious diseases?
In fact, in addition to the Corona virus 19, bats live in various highly pathogenic viruses that behave fatally when a person is infected. According to various studies, bats are parasitic with about 137 viruses, including 61 viruses that infect humans, including Ebola virus, rabies, acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) . It is a scary virus just by hearing its name, but strangely, bats are not harmed by these viruses. Even that common inflammatory response does not occur.
There are various theories about this. Some scientists claim that “viruses and bats have a symbiotic relationship, and that viruses protect against other viruses that are fatal to bats, or act as vaccines.” Other scientists claim, “The immune response of bats is weaker than that of other mammals, so even if a virus is introduced, they show an appropriate immune response, so there is no problem even if they carry a number of highly pathogenic viruses in their bodies at the same time.” For information, too strong an immune response leads to disease. Autoimmune diseases such as leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease are typical diseases caused by an excessive immune response in the body.
For this reason, several attempts have been made to determine the genetics of bats. However, there were no great results. Recently, however, a large-scale project to reveal the genetic characteristics of bats has begun and is becoming a global topic. On the 20th (local time), various foreign media such as the British Guardian announced that a large-scale international study called ‘BAT 1K’ had begun.
Various related research institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Germany and the Wellcome Sanger Institute at the University of Cambridge in the UK, are involved in the project, and bat genetics The purpose of the study is to reveal the characteristics and response to infectious diseases that may come in the future.
To this end, the research team said, “We will conduct a precise genome analysis of 1,450 species of bats worldwide.” Professor Emma Teeling of Animals and Genetics at University College Dublin, Ireland, who took part in the project, explained the purpose of this research, saying, “The unique immune system of bats will be of great help in fighting diseases that threaten humans human.” .
The new cycle of infectious disease outbreaks is shortening, humanitarian measures are needed
According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, there are about 250 zoonotic diseases in modern times, which account for 75% of epidemics worldwide. Experts warned that as environmental destruction accelerates, more zoonotic infectious diseases will emerge in the future, and their cycles will gradually shorten.
In the past, as SARS (2003), H1N1 flu (2009), and MERS (2015) occurred every 6 years, there was a ‘six-year cycle of new infectious disease hypothesis’ that new large-scale infectious diseases appeared every 6 years. years. However, as Corona 19 (2019) started about four years after the outbreak of MERS, the theory of a six-year cycle for new infectious diseases was overshadowed.
Quarantine experts around the world said, “As we enter the 21st century, the cycle of new infectious diseases is showing a shortening characteristic,” and warned, “If the cycle becomes shorter in the future, shorter and not longer.” At the same time, he emphasized, “Because it is impossible to predict outbreaks of infectious diseases, as in the current Corona 19 event, humanity must join forces to actively defend against future infectious diseases.”
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