Do bats hold the secrets to fighting future pandemics?

Bats’ status as the only truly flying mammals might mean they also have another ‘superpower’ — invincibility to most viruses

Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) held in a hand to give an indication of size.  Scientists have determined that unique immune adaptations linked to bat flight could open new avenues to combat deadly viral diseases, including those behind past pandemics

A growing body of research, highlighted by a recent study in Nature, continues to shed light on why bats seem to host a 'greatest-hits' collection of dangerous viruses without becoming seriously ill. While many other mammals (including humans) suffer devastating consequences from pathogens passed on by bats, these winged mammals generally remain healthy.

Scientists have determined that unique immune adaptations linked to bat flight could open new avenues to combat deadly viral diseases, including those behind past pandemics.