|
|
Article: Beijing, Sept 30 (PTI) Several bat species are natural hosts of coronaviruses closely related to the deadly SARS virus which triggered a serious global health crisis in 2003, an international research group has concluded.
- Article from:
- PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd.
- Article date:
- September 30, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Asia Pulse Pty Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
In this latest study, researchers from China, Australia, and the United States tested a variety of wild bats from four locations in China for coronaviruses.
They found in wild bats several genetically diverse coronaviruses, one of which very closely resembles the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus. They noted that bats are the original source of the killer virus.
The SARS virus itself is a member of this coronavirus group, researchers said.
The new findings will appear in the September 30 online issue of the journal 'Science', Xinhua news agency reported.
Since the SARS outbreak in year 2002-03 that killed about 800 ...