Pangolins Likely the 'Missing Link' to Coronavirus Spread

The endangered pangolin may be the missing link between bats and humans in spreading coronavirus, Chinese researchers disclose.

Bats had been recognized as one of the carriers of coronavirus after a genetic analysis reveal that the strain of the virus that is spreading among humans was 96% identical to that found in bats. However, scientists believe that the disease did not jump straight from bats to humans. Arnaud Fontanet of the France Pasteur Institute deems that there is an animal that is an intermediary between bats and humans. Several studies reveal that the bat-borne virus lacks the necessary hardware to latch onto human cell receptors. Which animal that links between humans and bats, however, is still unknown. Fontanet infers that the intermediary was 'probably a mammal', possibly belonging to the badger family.

Scientists at the South China Agricultural University tested more than 1,000 samples from wild animals and learned that the genome sequences of viruses in pangolins to be 99% identical to those on coronavirus patients.

Other experts expressed their caution, saying such findings are not scientific evidence. James Wood, head of the department of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge said that although investigations into animal reservoirs are imperative, the results of the said study must be published for international scrutiny. He added that 'simply reporting detection of viral RNA with sequence similarity of more than 99% is not sufficient'.

To positively identify the 'missing link', each species that was on sale at the market needs to be tested. However, this may seem impossible because the market is now permanently closed.

Martine Peeters, a virologist at France's Institute for Research and Development (IRD) relate that during the Ebola Research, thousands of bat dropping from several sites in Africa were collected to confirm that the bat was the carrier of the disease. Peeters who also believe that this is the case may be similar as part of the team that identified the host animal of the Ebola virus.

Although it may be too late to name the carrier for this particular outbreaks, identifying the 'carrier' of the novel coronavirus is crucial in preventing imminent epidemics.

Calls for More Radical Measures to Stop Wildlife Trade

Fontanet describes the spread of coronavirus as the "latest example of the potentially disastrous consequence of humans consuming virus-carrying wild animals". He added that China needs to take radical measures to stop wildlife trade in China.

In 2003, the SARs outbreak which involved a different strain of coronavirus was transmitted to humans by the civet, a mammal which is a delicacy in China. During the Sars epidemic, the sale of civet was outlawed.

China has declared an immediate and comprehensive ban on the trade of wild animals last February 24 when the outbreak has affected 31,000 and claimed 630 lives worldwide.

Francois Renaud, a researcher at the Paris-based National Center for Scientific Research noted that each time an outbreak happens, efforts are done to stop the trade, but once it's already in control, 'we await the next one'. He recommends that there is a need to become proactive in seeing the epidemics before it happens. A watchlist compiling all animals that could potentially transmit viruses to humans must also be done.