Discovery of Salt Gully Virus in Australian Bats Enhances Preparedness Against Emerging Infectious Diseases

Researchers at CSIRO, Australia's premier scientific organization, have identified a novel virus in local flying fox populations, marking a significant advancement in the country's ability to anticipate and counter emerging infectious threats. The newly detected Salt Gully virus is a type of henipavirus, related to others like Hendra and Nipah viruses, which are known to cause severe diseases in animals and humans.

The Salt Gully virus was found in urine samples from bats in Queensland and was successfully isolated in CSIRO's high-containment laboratory, the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. Its detection in samples dating back to 2011 indicates the virus has been circulating in native bat populations for over ten years without causing apparent illness.

This discovery provides valuable insights into the diversity of henipaviruses and their potential risks. Although Salt Gully virus shares its family with Hendra, which has led to fatal outbreaks, current evidence suggests it does not rely on the same cell receptors, possibly reducing its immediate threat. However, understanding this virus lays the groundwork for developing diagnostic tools that can detect possible spillovers in the future.

Jennifer Barr, a senior scientist involved in the research, emphasized that the virus's presence in bats doesn't pose an immediate public health threat. "We've detected Salt Gully virus in bat populations without any evidence of disease in animals or humans so far. This finding helps us understand the full scope of henipavirus diversity and guides future research into their potential to cause outbreaks."

Enhanced knowledge of Salt Gully virus underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and research. It also confirms that Australia’s current Hendra vaccination efforts for horses remain effective and are not compromised by this new virus.

The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness continues to play a critical role in biosecurity, allowing scientists to study zoonotic diseases safely and securely. This research not only deepens understanding of wild-origin viruses but also improves preparedness for any future spillover events that could impact public and animal health.

For further details, this study is published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. The findings highlight the importance of proactive research in identifying and characterizing wildlife viruses to mitigate future health risks.