Ebola Virus Antibodies in Fruit Bats, Bangladesh

Abstract

To determine geographic range for Ebola virus, we tested 276 bats in Bangladesh. Five (3.5%) bats were positive for antibodies against Ebola Zaire and Reston viruses; no virus was detected by PCR. These bats might be a reservoir for Ebola or Ebola-like viruses, and extend the range of filoviruses to mainland Asia.

Keywords

• bats
• fruit bats
• Chiroptera
• Ebola virus
• filovirus
• viruses