The ability to fly and generate a high fever may be a reason why bats don’t fall ill, despite harbouring more than 60 viruses harmful to humans.
That is the submission of a recent research by a team of scientists from the United States Geological Survey and the Zoological Society of London.
According to one of the researchers, Ms. Angela Luis, the body temperature in flying bats increases to between 100 degrees and 106 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature bracket indicative of high fever in humans.
“We know about fever. Fever is a typical response we experience for infection. Typically, the heat of the fever helps slow pathogen replication and can increase the efficiency of the immune system,’’ she said.
On the other hand, flying bats are said to be susceptible to white nose syndrome, a fungal infection as a result of a depressed immune system during periods of rest.
Meanwhile, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Professor, Eyo Okon, has advised the scientists to be specific of the types of bats under research.
During an interview with our correspondent, Okon said the relationship between the Ebola Virus and fruit bats was yet to be scientifically proven.
He said, “There are many species of bats. There are many good things about bats. There are fruit bats in Nigeria. There is a colony of more than a million bats at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
“Now that the Ebola virus is in Nigeria, there would be a renewed focus on bats but no scientific relationship has been established between the disease and flying bats.
“The development concerning Ebola has the potential to demonise bats but bats are actually beneficial to the economy. They contribute to the sustenance of biodiversity. Bats are also used in many areas of research such as Medicine and Ecology. In Gerontology, the study of aging, bats are also used. As small as they are, bats can live up to 30 years.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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