With over 197,000 reported cases reported globally, there is growing speculation circulating around the exact origin of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Some may not realize that this outbreak is possibly rooted from one furry little mammal – bats. As time passes, more studies and research are connecting the bridge between bats and the Coronavirus. Learn how this winged creature could possibly be the cause of this entire epidemic.
18 years ago, there was an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), with symptoms closely related to COVID-19. An article on Nature.com states, “A large number of SARS-related coronaviruses have been discovered in their natural reservoir host, bats. Previous studies have shown that some bat SARSr-CoVs have the potential to infect humans.” To further support this statement and the link between bats and the Coronavirus, a research team from China performed genomic sequencing on samples on five patients at the early stage of the outbreak. They quickly discovered that the five strains are almost identical to each other and that COVID-19 is 96% identical to a bat coronavirus. Ultimately, this suggests that bats may play a key role in this outbreak.
As the virus has made its way into all 50 states, Alaska and its residents have also been introduced to this pandemic. As of March 18th, 2020, there have only been three confirmed Coronavirus cases. However, springtime begins the migration of bats from Mexico to Alaska and we may need to be aware that they could potentially be carriers of the Coronavirus. This could mean not only the increase in COVID-19 cases but also the spread of viruses with similar symptoms. Because of this, it is important for Alaskan citizens to not shrug off the possibility of contracting the Coronavirus from bats. It is important to be cautious and to be aware of this possible connection between bats and the Coronavirus.
Do not try to catch or touch a bat if you see one in or around your home. Contact a professional immediately to handle the situation. The professionals at Varmint Gone have years of experience in handling bat removal and decontamination of infectious agents in your home. Be aware that many companies do not offer decontamination along with their bat removal services. Varmint Gone can help to keep you and your family safe. To schedule an inspection, call us at (907) 290-3099 or fill out our online form.
