Researchers from the Smithsonian's Global Health Program found six new coronaviruses in bats in Myanmar. Photo Credit: Roshan Patel / Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Health Myanmar27. April 2020

There Are Six New (!) Coronaviruses, Read Why that is a Good Thing

Following a collection of samples from 464 bats in Myanmar, scientists have discovered six new coronaviruses – an achievement that is especially significant today in showing how such viruses can be prevented from ever impacting humans.

“This is a prime example to show you, ‘Hey, this is why we need to do this work,’” explains Marc Valitutto, lead author of the Smithsonian’s Global Health Program study recently published in the PLOS ONE journal.

The researchers collected 759 samples from at least 11 species of bats between 2016 and 2018, and have this month found coronaviruses in 48 of them. Out of the seven types of coronaviruses found, six were previously unknown to researchers.

Source:
Smithsonian

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