Coronaviruses in Brazilian bats: A matter of concern?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Brazil is the most biologically diverse country in the world. Furthermore, the diversified ecology, a high number of coexisting bat species and their local abundance in relation to other mammalian species could make neotropical bats major spreaders of viruses, as human population density increases in the ever growing occupation of neotropical ecosystems [9]. Improvements on the national health system (Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS))—to ensure sufficient and adequate access to healthcare, allied to a strong focus on environmental education since the very early days of school attendance—would certainly have a positive effect on the formation of individuals concerned with environmental problems. [...]investments on research on the microbiome of wild and synanthropic animals may increase our degree of preparedness and contribute to contingency plans to reduce the potential risk of zoonotic diseases. Ensuring environmental interventions along with sustainable exploration of natural resources would minimize exposures to risk factors from emerging wildlife diseases, yet preserving wildlife in its natural “status quo,” thus contributing indirectly to accomplish the interrelated goals of health, environmental sustainability, and development.