Genomic Characterization of a Relative of Mumps Virus in Lesser Dawn Bats of Southeast Asia

The importance of genomic surveillance on emerging diseases continues to be highlighted with the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Here, we present an analysis of a new bat-borne mumps virus (MuV) in a captive colony of lesser dawn bats (Eonycteris spelaea). This report describes an investigation of MuV-specific data originally collected as part of a longitudinal virome study of apparently healthy, captive lesser dawn bats in Southeast Asia (BioProject ID PRJNA561193) which was the first report of a MuV-like virus, named dawn bat paramyxovirus (DbPV), in bats outside of Africa. More in-depth analysis of these original RNA sequences in the current report reveals that the new DbPV genome shares only 86% amino acid identity with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of its closest relative, the African bat-borne mumps virus (AbMuV). While there is no obvious immediate cause for concern, it is important to continue investigating and monitoring bat-borne MuVs to determine the risk of human infection.

Automated summary

This study reports the discovery of a new bat-borne mumps virus in a captive colony of lesser dawn bats in Southeast Asia. The analysis of the RNA sequences reveals that this new virus shares only 86% amino acid identity with its closest relative, the African bat-borne mumps virus. While there is no immediate cause for concern, it is crucial to further investigate and monitor bat-borne mumps viruses to determine the risk of human infection.