Bolstering the Fight: Cambodian Bats Hold Key to COVID‑19 Mysteries
Scientists from the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) are heading back to the jungle of Stung Treng—where a similar virus was found ten years ago—to dig up fresh evidence about the pandemic that still haunts the world.
What’s on the Table?
- Old‑School Samples: Two horseshoe bat specimens collected back in 2010, archived in freezers in Phnom Penh. Last year’s tests linked them to a close cousin of the deadly coronavirus.
- New Fieldwork: An eight‑person IPC crew has spent a week in the region, capturing bats, noting species, gender, age and a handful of other snags. They’re piecing together the local bat ecosystem.
- Regional Sprints: Similar teams are also poking around in the Philippines, giving the research a cross‑border spark.
Why Bats? Why Now?
Bats are nature’s silent carriers. Their bodies rarely show signs of infection, yet the viruses they cradle can wipe out humans and livestock in a flash. “We want to find out whether the virus is still there and how it’s changed over time,” explains Dr. Veasna Duong, IPC’s virology head.
Besides COVID‑19, bats are notorious for Ebola, SARS, and MERS—all deadly, yet preventable if we get the science right.
Human Footprint: The Hidden Catalyst
Duong points out that it’s humans who flood the damage:
“When we encroach on wildlife habitats—whether we’re hunting, trading, or just living near—our chances of getting infected skyrocket. The virus is more likely to evolve into a human-friendly version.”
In short, human activity heightens risk, not just in Cambodia but globally.
Beyond the Bats: Wild Meat & Trade
Research engineer Julia Guillebaud is peeling back another layer: the wild meat chain. Her project, funded by the French, aims to:
- Map the flow of wildlife across Cambodia.
- Catalog betacoronavirus diversity within those supply chains.
- Build a nimble early‑warning system for viral spill‑over, so alerts trigger before outbreaks spiral.
Think of it as a smart detective—tracking every piece of the meat puzzle to spot a dangerous virus early.
Why It Matters
By revisiting those 2010 bats and hunting for fresh samples, researchers hope to uncover how the coronavirus evolved—and whether it’s still lurking in nocturnal flyers. Their findings could pave the way for better preparedness, tighter wildlife trade controls, and, ultimately, a healthier future for humans and animals alike.