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Bats and COVID-19: villains or victims?

Morcegos e a COVID-19: vilões ou vítimas?

Abstract

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, bats are being pointed as responsible for its origin, even without solid scientific evidence. In this opinion piece, we discuss the most updated information on bats and COVID-19 and argue that bats should not be blamed for a disease they are not responsible for. Bats should be seen not as dangerous animals but, instead, as sources of several scientific insights useful for human health.

Keywords:
Chiroptera; spillovers; wildlife; zoonoses; zoonotic spillovers

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