Ebola: Scientists discover why bats don't fall ill

The ability to fly and generate a high fever may be a reason why bats
don't fall ill, despite harbouring more than 60 viruses harmful to
humans.

That is the submission of a recent research by a team of scientists
from the United States Geological Survey and the Zoological Society of
London.

According to one of the researchers, Ms. Angela Luis, the body
temperature in flying bats increases to between 100 degrees and 106
degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature bracket indicative of high fever in
humans.

"We know about fever. Fever is a typical response we experience for
infection. Typically, the heat of the fever helps slow pathogen
replication and can increase the efficiency of the immune system,''
she said.

On the other hand, flying bats are said to be susceptible to white
nose syndrome, a fungal infection as a result of a depressed immune
system during periods of rest.

Meanwhile, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Professor, Eyo
Okon, has advised the scientists to be specific of the types of bats
under research.

During an interview with our correspondent, Okon said the relationship
between the Ebola Virus and fruit bats was yet to be scientifically
proven.

He said, "There are many species of bats. There are many good things
about bats. There are fruit bats in Nigeria. There is a colony of more
than a million bats at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

"Now that the Ebola virus is in Nigeria, there would be a renewed
focus on bats but no scientific relationship has been established
between the disease and flying bats.

"The development concerning Ebola has the potential to demonise bats
but bats are actually beneficial to the economy. They contribute to
the sustenance of biodiversity. Bats are also used in many areas of
research such as Medicine and Ecology. In Gerontology, the study of
aging, bats are also used. As small as they are, bats can live up to
30 years."