Climate change created 'hotspot' for bats which host coronaviruses

5 February 2021, 12:20

Climate change may have led to bat "hotspot" in Southern China.
Climate change may have led to bat "hotspot" in Southern China. Picture: PA

By Harriet Whitehead

Climate change could have contributed to the emergence of Sars-CoV-2 by increasing the bat population, scientists have found.

University of Cambridge researchers suggest global greenhouse gas emissions have made southern China a "hotspot" for many bat species that host coronaviruses.

Researchers explain that climate change has devastated the natural habitats in several regions, leading to an influx of an additional 40 bat species moving into the southern Chinese Yunnan province in the past century.

It is believed Sars-CoV-2 - the virus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic - emerged in this area.

Read more: Minister defends quarantine hotel plan but refuses to comment on number of rooms booked

They harbour around 100 types of bat-borne coronavirus, most of which cannot infect humans, and there are more than 3,000 different types of coronaviruses housed by bat populations around the world.

The researchers said their findings, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, should encourage governments to "take decisive action to mitigate climate change" in order to reduce health risks from infectious diseases.

'There's clearly a lack of dialogue between the Government'

Professor Andrea Manica, in the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology, said that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused tremendous social and economic damage.

Manica urged governments to "seize the opportunity to reduce health risks from infectious diseases by taking decisive action to mitigate climate change."

Dr Robert Beyer, a researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology, said: "Understanding how the global distribution of bat species has shifted as a result of climate change may be an important step in reconstructing the origin of the Covid-19 outbreak."

Beyer added: "As climate change altered habitats, species left some areas and moved into others - taking their viruses with them.

"This not only altered the regions where viruses are present, but most likely allowed for new interactions between animals and viruses, causing more harmful viruses to be transmitted or evolve."

The researchers said the causes of climate change need to be addressed as part of Covid-19 economic recovery programmes.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The charred remains of Grenfell Tower, Notting Hill, London, Britain. The 24 storey residential Tower block was engulfed in flames in the summer of 2017.

Families of Grenfell victims accuse government of ‘shameless betrayal’ over pause on investigation into 'implicated' firms

John Lacey, 42, was sentenced to 14-months imprisonment.

Thug, 42, jailed for punching pregnant girlfriend in stomach in attack that 'changed victim forever'

Morgan Gibbs-White is set to join Tottenham

Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White set to join Tottenham in £60m transfer

Empty shop with To Let sign in central West London.

London store closures hit 10-year high - as government urged to invest £5bn to save UK's high-streets

Liverpool Women v Aston Villa Women - Pre Season Friendly

Arsenal close to record-breaking £1m signing of Liverpool’s Olivia Smith in landmark deal

Blue Stevens was stabbed to death in Knightsbridge after 'standing up to someone who was trying to steal his watch'

'I can't stop crying': Heartbroken mum of man stabbed to death outside five-star hotel 'for his Rolex' pays tribute

'Birkin' bag by Hermes which belonged to British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin

Original Hermes Birkin bag which belonged to actress Jane Birkin sells for £8.6 million

Parts of an Air India plane that crashed on Thursday are seen on top of a building in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Investigators look into Air India's vital engine switches after plane crash killed 270 people

Sean O'Meara

Four suspicious devices found where police shot chainsaw-wielding man in gas mask

Distressing footage Body worn footage shows PC Lydia Ward being comforted by colleagues as she is bleeding from the nose after she tried to arrest an assault suspect at Manchester Airport.

Shocking clip shows cop with bloodied nose crying after Manchester Airport brawl as bodycam footage shown to jury

A neurosurgeon pointing towards a computer as they analyse a patient MRI Scan at a brain surgery clinic.

Air pollution exposure increases risk of common brain tumour, study suggests

Frank Barrie

EastEnders star and theatre legend Frank Barrie dead at 88 - as family pays tribute

PC Luke Holden PCSO Tim Parry Sgt Greg Gillespie

'I saw the look in his eyes': Hero officers open up about moment they came face-to-face with Southport killer

Exclusive
Screen grab of Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, speaking in the chamber during the debate on draft legislation giving the Government 'the power to direct steel companies in England' to protect British Steel's Scunthorpe plant.

Commons leader 'vows to fix broken system' after LBC investigation 'shines light' on SEN parents' cease & desist letters

Blue Stevens, 26, was stabbed to death in Knightsbridge after 'standing up to someone who was trying to steal his watch'.

Father stabbed to death outside five-star hotel 'for his Rolex' pictured - as tributes pour in for victim

A top Ukrainian intelligence officer has been shot dead.

Ukrainian intelligence officer accused of sabotage attacks in Russia shot dead in Kyiv