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As part of a larger survey for detection of pathogens among wildlife in sub-Saharan Africa conducted during 2007-2012, multiple diverse paramyxovirus sequences were detected in renal tissues of bats. Phylogenetic analysis supports the presence of at least 2 major viral lineages and suggests that paramyxoviruses are strongly associated with several bat genera.

TOC summary: Bats may be reservoirs of zoonotic viruses that threaten human health., Bats are known reservoirs of viral zoonoses. We report genetic characterization of a bat rotavirus (Bat/KE4852/07) detected in the feces of a straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum). Six bat rotavirus genes (viral protein [VP] 2, VP6, VP7, nonstructural protein [NSP] 2, NSP3, and NSP5) shared ancestry with other mammalian rotaviruses but were distantly related. The VP4 gene was nearly identical to that of human P[6] rotavirus strains, and the NSP4 gene was closely related to those of previously described mammalian rotaviruses, including human strains. Analysis of partial sequence of the VP1 gene indicated that it was distinct from cognate genes of other rotaviruses. No sequences were obtained for the VP3 and NSP1 genes of the bat rotavirus. This rotavirus was designated G25-P[6]-I15-R8(provisional)-C8-Mx-Ax-N8-T11-E2-H10. Results suggest that several reassortment events have occurred between human, animal, and bat rotaviruses. Several additional rotavirus strains were detected in bats.

We report the presence and diversity of Bartonella spp. in bats of 13 insectivorous and frugivorous species collected from various locations across Kenya. Bartonella isolates were obtained from 23 Eidolon helvum, 22 Rousettus aegyptiacus, 4 Coleura afra, 7 Triaenops persicus, 1 Hipposideros commersoni, and 49 Miniopterus spp. bats. Sequence analysis of the citrate synthase gene from the obtained isolates showed a wide assortment of Bartonella strains. Phylogenetically, isolates clustered in specific host bat species. All isolates from R. aegyptiacus, C. afra, and T. persicus bats clustered in separate monophyletic groups. In contrast, E. helvum and Miniopterus spp. bats harbored strains that clustered in several groups. Further investigation is needed to determine whether these agents are responsible for human illnesses in the region.

One-sentence summary for table of contents: Lagos bat virus from water mongoose showed strong sequence homology with other Lagos bat virus isolates from South Africa., A genotype 2 lyssavirus, Lagos bat virus (LBV), was isolated from a terrestrial wildlife species (water mongoose) in August 2004 in the Durban area of the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The virus isolate was confirmed as LBV by antigenic and genetic characterization, and the mongoose was identified as Atilax paludinosus by mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated sequence homology with previous LBV isolates from South African bats. Studies performed in mice indicated that the peripheral pathogenicity of LBV had been underestimated in previous studies. Surveillance strategies for LBV in Africa must be improved to better understand the epidemiology of this virus and to make informed decisions on future vaccine strategies because evidence is insufficent that current rabies vaccines provide protection against LBV.

Surveillance for lyssaviruses was conducted among bat populations in 8 provinces in Thailand. In 2002 and 2003, a total of 932 bats of 11 species were captured and released after serum collection. Lyssavirus infection was determined by conducting virus neutralization assays on bat serum samples. Of collected samples, 538 were either hemolysed or insufficient in volume, which left 394 suitable for analysis. These samples included the following: Pteropus lylei (n = 335), Eonycteris spelaea (n = 45), Hipposideros armiger (n = 13), and Rousettus leschennaulti (n = 1). No serum samples had evidence of neutralizing antibodies when tested against rabies virus. However, 16 samples had detectable neutralizing antibodies against Aravan virus, Khujand virus, Irkut virus, or Australian bat lyssavirus; all were specifically associated with fruit bats P. lylei (n = 15) and E. spelaea (n = 1). These results are consistent with the presence of naturally occurring viruses related to new putative lyssavirus genotypes.

With rabies emerging as a particular threat to wild canids, we report on a rabies outbreak in a subpopulation of endangered Ethiopian wolves in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, in 2003 and 2004. Parenteral vaccination of wolves was used to manage the outbreak.

The Aravan virus was isolated from a Lesser Mouse-eared Bat (Myotis blythi) in the Osh region of Kyrghyzstan, central Asia, in 1991. We determined the complete sequence of the nucleoprotein (N) gene and compared it with those of 26 representative lyssaviruses obtained from databases. The Aravan virus was distinguished from seven distinct genotypes on the basis of nucleotide and amino acid identity. Phylogenetic analysis based on both nucleotide and amino acid sequences showed that the Aravan virus was more closely related to genotypes 4, 5, and--to a lesser extent--6, which circulates among insectivorus bats in Europe and Africa. The Aravan virus does not belong to any of the seven known genotypes of lyssaviruses, namely, rabies, Lagos bat, Mokola, and Duvenhage viruses and European bat lyssavirus 1, European bat lyssavirus 2, and Australian bat lyssavirus. Based on these data, we propose a new genotype for the Lyssavirus genus.

To the Editor: Lake Victoria Marburgvirus (MARV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a high case-fatality rate in humans. Index cases occurred in Europe during 1967 among laboratory workers who handled tissues and blood samples of nonhuman primates from Africa (1). Thereafter, MARV was reported throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Most outbreaks in humans were associated with visits to caves and mines (2–6). In Kenya, human cases of MARV infection were reported in 1980 and 1987; these occurred after visits to the Kitum Cave at Mount Elgon (7,8). MARV was detected in tissues of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and other bat species from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gabon, and Uganda (3–6). We collected bats from across Kenya during June–July 2007 within the framework of the Global Disease Detection Program, which is dedicated to investigation of emerging pathogens. Collection protocols were approved by the National Museums of Kenya and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA, USA). Blood, fecal and oral swab specimens, and selected tissue samples were collected from bats and stored on dry ice. For MARV detection, total RNA was extracted from pooled or individual liver, spleen, and lung samples from 272 bats. Nested reverse transcription–PCR (RT-PCR) with primers specific for MARV nucleoprotein gene was performed as described (5). When a band of the expected size was detected after electrophoresis on an agarose gel, the RT-PCR product was sequenced. Laboratory cross-contamination was not a concern because no work with MARV had been conducted in the facility where the examination was performed. MARV RNA was detected in pooled liver, spleen, and lung tissue of an apparently healthy, pregnant, female R. aegyptiacus bat obtained at Kitum Cave in July 2007 (Figure). A faint band was obtained only after nested RT-PCR, which suggests that the RNA load was limited. Attempts at virus isolation were not performed. Phylogenetic comparisons demonstrated that the virus (KE261, GenBank accession no. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"GQ499199","term_id":"270686255","term_text":"GQ499199"}}GQ499199) was relatively distant from previous isolates from Kenya (Musoke and Ravn). It was similar to viruses isolated from index cases in Europe in 1967 (Popp and Ci67). This lineage also contained virus 02DRC99, which was isolated from a human in the DRC in 1999 (Appendix Figure). MARV isolates obtained from bats and humans in Uganda in 2007 belong to distinct lineages (6) (Appendix Figure). Tissues of other bats, including 75 R. aegyptiacus (29 pregnant females) from Kitum Cave and neighboring Makingeni Cave, were negative for MARV RNA. Figure Bat collection sites (open circles) and location of Kitum Cave, Kenya, where Lake Victoria Marburgvirus was detected (solid circle). Histopathologic examination of liver of the infected bat showed no lesions that could be ascribed to MARV infection, and no MARV antigens were detected by immunohistochemical analysis. Other tissues were not examined. Our results are similar to those reported from Gabon and the DRC, where MARV RNA was detected in tissues of 1.4% and 3.1% of R. aegyptiacus bats, respectively, with negative isolation attempts (3,5). A higher prevalence (5.1%) was detected in R. aegyptiacus bats from Uganda in 2007, where several MARV isolates were obtained from bats with high virus loads (6). In the DRC, MARV RNA was also detected in insectivorous bats, including 3.0% of Miniopterus inflatus and 3.6% of Rhinolophus elocuens (3,5). However, in Uganda, MARV RNA was detected in only 1 (0.2%) of 609 insectivorous bats (Hipposideros spp.) (6). To date, bats are the only wild mammals, besides nonhuman primates, in which filoviruses have been detected. Whether bats serve as principal reservoir hosts for filoviruses is unclear. The pathogenesis and clinic manifestation of filovirus infection in bats are unknown. Colonies of R. aegyptiacus bats in caves often consist of thousands of bats. The opportunity for conspecific exposure rates in such colonies is high. Therefore, bat populations should have a high seroprevalence rate for these viruses. For example, seroprevalence to lyssaviruses in some bat species that live in colonies was reported as high as 60%–70% (9). In contrast, seroprevalence of MARV-neutralizing antibodies in colonies of R. aegyptiacus bats in which PCR-positive bats were collected was only 12% (5) or as low as 2.4% (6). This low seroprevalence may be interpreted as a result of a limited spillover of MARV into bats from another source. The association of human cases of MARV with visiting caves often inhabited by R. aegyptiacus and other bat species is obvious (3,5,6). This association was reinforced by MARV infection in tourists who visited caves in Uganda (4,10). For Kenya, our finding is consistent with reported human cases tentatively associated with visiting of Kitum Cave (7,8). We do not know if MARV has persisted in this area continuously or has reemerged sporadically. Kitum Cave and other similar caves are easily accessible and frequently visited by tourists and local persons. The likelihood of MARV spillover into humans is presently limited. However, because transmission mechanisms and sources of spillover infections are unknown, public awareness must be increased and health authorities informed about the presence of MARV.

The prevalence of neutralizing antibody against West Caucasian bat virus (WCBV) in Miniopterus bats collected in Kenya ranged from 17% to 26%. Seropositive bats were detected in 4 of 5 locations sampled across the country. These findings provide evidence that WCBV, originally isolated in Europe, may emerge in other continents.

Lyssavirus surveillance in bats was performed in Bangladesh during 2003 and 2004. No virus isolates were obtained. Three serum samples (all from Pteropus giganteus, n = 127) of 288 total serum samples, obtained from bats in 9 different taxa, neutralized lyssaviruses Aravan and Khujand. The infection occurs in bats in Bangladesh, but virus prevalence appears low.

Two new rabies-related viruses were discovered in Russia during 2002. Viruses were isolated from bats in Eastern Siberia near Baikal Lake and in the western Caucasus Mountains. After preliminary antigenic and genetic characterization, we found that both viruses should be considered as new putative lyssavirus genotypes.

Diverse coronaviruses have been identified in bats from several continents but not from Africa. We identified group 1 and 2 coronaviruses in bats in Kenya, including SARS-related coronaviruses. The sequence diversity suggests that bats are well-established reservoirs for and likely sources of coronaviruses for many species, including humans.

Two Nipah virus encephalitis outbreaks in Bangladesh may be associated with person-to-person transmission., We retrospectively investigated two outbreaks of encephalitis in Meherpur and Naogaon, Bangladesh, which occurred in 2001 and 2003. We collected serum samples from persons who were ill, their household contacts, randomly selected residents, hospital workers, and various animals. Cases were classified as laboratory confirmed or probable. We identified 13 cases (4 confirmed, 9 probable) in Meherpur; 7 were in persons in two households. Patients were more likely than nonpatients to have close contact with other patients or have contact with a sick cow. In Naogaon, we identified 12 cases (4 confirmed, 8 probable); 7 were in persons clustered in 2 households. Two Pteropus bats had antibodies for Nipah virus. Samples from hospital workers were negative for Nipah virus antibodies. These outbreaks, the first since 1999, suggest that transmission may occur through close contact with other patients or from exposure to a common source. Surveillance and enhancement of diagnostic capacity to detect Nipah virus infection are recommended.

Rabies in the arctic regions of Alaska and Canada remains a serious challenge because of the mobility of the wildlife reservoir and the limited human population density and infrastructure. Large-scale eradication efforts of rabies in foxes do not appear feasible; however, more regionalized control could be achieved. Before such initiatives are even considered, we need to better understand the ecology of both red and arctic foxes, the molecular characteristics of virus variants and their possible effects on reservoir susceptibility, transmission and circulation patterns, and the limitations to use of oral rabies vaccine in foxes, among other issues. Bringing together a multidisciplinary group of experts represents an initial step toward furthering our knowledge about rabies in the Arctic and options for control. A related issue is that of limiting the ability of domestic dogs to transmit the virus to humans. Improving programs to increase rabies vaccination of dogs and basic animal control measures to limit the illness and death related to dog bites represent immediate and formidable challenges for local authorities. Sharing these challenges and approaches to potential solutions will continue to be valuable for Alaska and northwestern Canada. Finally, other arctic nations that are similarly affected by animal rabies were not represented at the summit. The International Conferences for Rabies in the Americas and the International Congresses on Circumpolar Health are exemplary models for collaboration on disease issues that cross international borders. We suggest that future endeavors addressing Arctic rabies issues would prove valuable to international rabies prevention and control efforts and studies of circumpolar health.