Ebola: research team says migrating fruit bats responsible for outbreak

[Cigar]

Ebola: research team says migrating fruit bats responsible for outbreak

The largest-ever outbreak of Ebola was triggered by a toddler's chance contact with a single infected bat, a team of international researchers will reveal, after a major investigation of the origins of the deadly disease now ravaging Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.


A group of 17 European and African tropical disease researchers, ecologists and anthropologists spent three weeks talking to people and capturing bats and other animals near the village of Meliandoua in remote eastern Guinea, where the present epidemic appeared in December 2013. They have concluded that the disease was spread by colonies of migratory fruit bats. Their research is expected to be published in a major journal in the next few weeks.


News of the research came as the first confirmed case of a Briton contracting the disease emerged on Saturday night. Professor John Watson, deputy chief medical officer, said the overall risk to the UK public remains "very low".

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2...it-bats-africa


I think Obama is going to have to issue a No-Fly Zone

[Polecat]

Any mention of how it is spreading so fast? Are the bats infecting the water supply or a food staple?

[Captain Obvious]

Any mention of how it is spreading so fast? Are the bats infecting the water supply or a food staple?

Enquiring minds guano know.

[Cigar]

Any mention of how it is spreading so fast? Are the bats infecting the water supply or a food staple?

I'm betting it Bites and Blood ... since it's not airborne

[Matty]

Any mention of how it is spreading so fast? Are the bats infecting the water supply or a food staple?

People in west Africa eat fruit bats. So I imagine the slaughter and dressing the meat would effectively spread the virus.

[hanger4]

I hear fruit bats are tasty.

[The Xl]

$#@!in fruits.

[Polecat]

I always thought fruit bats were strict vegetarians. I guess if you grab onto one it would bite you but who goes around grabbing at bats? I would be looking real hard at the fruit these bats are eating if it is on the menu for people too. They could bite into one that isn't quite ripe yet and leave it for a human to eat later.

[Polecat]

People in west Africa eat fruit bats. So I imagine the slaughter and dressing the meat would effectively spread the virus.

I did not know that. That would be the smoking gun.

[hanger4]

I did not know that. That would be the smoking gun.

They call it "Bushmeat" :
http://m.bbc.com/news/health-29604204