Bats and viruses

Washington State Magazine webisodes

Bats could be a key to help prevent a future pandemic.

Washington State University researchers Stephanie Seifert and Michael Letko explain why the flying mammals are important for improving our understanding of viruses and diseases that spill over from animals to humans, such as Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Seifert and Letko also take on misconceptions about the pandemic and talk about the challenges of studying bats.

Both scientists work in the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, where Seifert is a research assistant professor studying molecular ecology. Letko is an assistant professor and molecular virologist focused on cross-species transmission and viral-host interactions.

The Allen School leads global research of zoonotic disease transmission between animals and humans. The school is also part of the One Health effort to further the understanding that human health is directly related to the health of animals and the surrounding environment.

WSU News science writer Sara Zaske is the guest host.

Read more about Letko’s coronavirus research in “Viral haystack,” Washington State Magazine, Fall 2020.

[Thank you to Felix Blume for the recording of bats in Southern France.]

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