Bats and COVID-19, an unfair story

Zoonoses such as rabies, malaria, dengue and many others have affected humans since our origin. In the face of Covid-19, our aim is to highlight that bats are not to blame for the pandemic, on the contrary; there are many health services provided by bats to human beings, agriculture, food and the economy, among others. SARS-CoV-2 has not been found in any bats. Covid-19 transmission is humans-to-human; 70% of zoonotic diseases, such as SARS or MERS, come from wild animals, so it is necessary to eliminate the illegal sale of wild animals in unsanitary markets, which represent a source of contagion and proliferation of emerging infectious diseases. The extermination of bats is detrimental, not only for animals and the ecosystem, but for our health, economy and well-being.

Automated summary

Zoonoses like rabies, malaria, and dengue have affected humans since our origins; amid Covid-19, it's important to emphasize that bats are not to blame for the pandemic and actually provide many health services to humans; 70% of zoonotic diseases originate from wild animals, highlighting the need to eliminate the illegal sale of wildlife in unsanitary markets.