PULLMAN, Wash. — The new coronavirus that has caused this worldwide pandemic is suspected of leaping from bats to humans, and Washington State University researchers hope to keep that from happening again.
Dr. Michael Letko says bats have been sharing similar viruses with people for some time.
He says the wide range, numbers and species of bats make them susceptible to picking up pathogens and they can then transfer them to us directly or through animals we have contact with like cattle or pets.
His research is aimed at finding ways to prevent that transfer and to help create medicines or vaccines that could be used to prevent another pandemic.