Bats and Viruses: A New Frontier of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses, and the rate of emergence of zoonotic diseases is on the rise. Bats are being increasingly recognized as an important reservoir of zoonotic viruses of different families, including SARS coronavirus, Nipah virus, Hendra virus, and Ebola virus. Understanding bats’ role in emerging zoonotic diseases is crucial to this rapidly expanding area of research. Bats and Viruses: A New Frontier of Emerging Infectious Diseases provides an updated overview of research focusing on bat biology and the role bats play as hosts of many major zoonotic viruses. The text covers bat biology, immunology, and genomics. Chapters also delve into the various major bat–borne virus families, including lyssaviruses, paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, filoviruses, and reoviruses, among others. Edited by leaders in the field, Bats and Viruses: A New Frontier of Emerging Infectious Diseases is a timely, invaluable reference for bat researchers studying microbiology, virology, and immunology, as well as infectious disease workers and epidemiologists, among others. • A unique approach to a rapidly growing field of research • Addresses both host and pathogen biology • Topic has been the focus of recent media attention and public imagination, particularly in light of recent Ebola outbreaks • Chapters authored by international leaders in their respective fields