Bats and COVID-19: villains or victims?

Authors

  • Maria João Ramos Pereira Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Zoologia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9365-5166
  • Enrico Bernard Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Ciência Aplicada à Conservação da Biodiversidade https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2304-1978
  • Ludmilla M. S. Aguiar Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9180-5052

Keywords:

Chiroptera, spillovers, wildlife, zoonoses, zoonotic spillovers

Abstract

Abstract Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, bats are being pointed as responsible for its origin, even without solid scientific evidence. In this opinion piece, we discuss the most updated information on bats and COVID-19 and argue that bats should not be blamed for a disease they are not responsible for. Bats should be seen not as dangerous animals but, instead, as sources of several scientific insights useful for human health.

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Published

2020-01-01

How to Cite

Pereira, M. J. R., Bernard, E., & Aguiar, L. M. S. (2020). Bats and COVID-19: villains or victims?. Biota Neotropica, 20(3). Retrieved from https://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/BN/article/view/1748

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 3 (2020): v20n3

Section

Points of View

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