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I am very concerned about how reports of bats that supposedly spread viruses have lately lurid fear of animals. They are worth billions of dollars for our economy (Sciencemag: Boyles et al., 2011) and essential for health of entire ecosystems, of which we are also dependent on human beings. Bats are among most endangered wild animals on this planet. Unlike many reports suggest, bats extremely rarely transmit diseases to humans. So instead of fearing m, we should be concerned about ir survival.

Merlin Tuttle is an American ecologist, environmentalist and nature photographer specializing in research and protection of bats. He founded NGO Merlin Tuttle's Bat conservation and works as a research assistant at University of Texas. © Paula Tuttle/merlintuttle. org

In fact, bats can transmit deadly diseases to humans, such as rabies and diseases with Nipahvirus – although contagiousness is extremely rare and can easily be avoided. The risks are often excessively exaggerated in a society in which public-sphere anxiety is driving research funds. There is still no direct evidence that bats are origin of SARS or Ebola eruptions (nature: Racey et al., 2018; Viruses: Leendertz, 2016) and have been, although this was often portrayed as fact. It is time to correct se frightening claims.

Even if one assumes that in past 40 years all deaths due to sudden, spreading diseases are caused by bats – such as Hendra, Nipah, Ebola, Marburg, SARS and MERS – total would still be less than 20,000 Dead. Figures that are insignificant compared with significantly easier to avoid health risks, such as obesity.

Claims that bats are world's most dangerous carriers of lethal pathogens are false (issues in science and Technology: Tuttle, 2017). New viruses are everywhere, no matter where we look (Virology blog: Racaniello, 2013). Recent reports of coronaviruses found in large quantities in bats (virus evolution: Anthony et al., 2017) are meaningless without furr investigation. Most viruses are harmless, some are probably essential for our own survival. Neverless, as soon as y are discovered in bats, y are propagated too frequently and too early as dangerous. The major pandemics of history originated in birds, rodents or primates – not in bats (mph online, 2018).

The fact that bats can carry deadly pathogens like Ebola with m without getting sick does not immediately mean that y form a reservoir for an outbreak among humans. When flying dogs were infected with Ebola in laboratory tests, y survived without getting sick (viruses: Paweska et al., 2016). But y didn't even share virus, which means y were probably not contagious. Moreover, re is no evidence of disease outbreaks among people who have eaten bats or live in cities, inhabited by huge bat colonies. For anyone who does not try to touch bats, likelihood of getting infected with something will decrease, Gen. Zero.

Rarely do people protect animals y fear. They often kill m. And bat colonies are particularly sensitive, many of species are already under threat. We should refore rar worry about how much it could harm us and planet if we eradicate bats and flying dogs.

Date Of Update: 08 April 2018, 12:03