News Animals

Bats live with some viruses. But others can do them in

A survey of nearly 90 years of experimental infections shows some viruses are bad for bats

A large cluster of brown bats hang from the ceiling of a cave. Most of the bats appear to be awake. Their resistance to some viruses that are deadly to humans may have benefits for drug research.

The Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) can carry Marburg virus, a deadly human pathogen, without showing any symptoms. Studying how bats control such infections could inspire new drugs to treat people.

PhotoStock-Israel/Getty Images

By Erin Garcia de Jesús

Sometimes even bats need a sick day.