Why bats are a global concern for pandemics: A look at their role in past and emerging viruses

Scientists have discovered 20 new bat viruses in China, including strains related to Nipah and Hendra, raising global health concerns. Bats' unique immune systems allow them to carry viruses asymptomatically, making them reservoirs for diseases like SARS, MERS, Ebola, and COVID-19. Habitat loss and farming practices increase human-bat contact, driving outbreaks.