Disturbed bats not more lethal A NEW study has disproved some popular myths about flying foxes and their excretion of hendra virus. T...
The Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (QCEID) research project found there was no link between the disturbance caused by colony dispersal and an increase in hendra virus excretion.
Biosecurity Queensland principal scientist Hume Field said the study proved colony dispersal typically caused stress of a similar level to that during natural stress events such as mating.
Dr Field said the project also tracked flying fox movement by satellite and found the animals regularly moved from colony to colony.
"Research also highlighted that hendra virus excretion was much less in little red flying foxes and in grey-headed flying foxes," she said.
The 12-month project tested flying foxes' stress hormones and virus levels.
Studies would continue into the roles of species, environmental factors and horse behavior in hendra transmission, Dr Field said.
Biosecurity Queensland principal scientist Hume Field said the study proved colony dispersal typically caused stress of a similar level to that during natural stress events such as mating.
Dr Field said the project also tracked flying fox movement by satellite and found the animals regularly moved from colony to colony.
"Research also highlighted that hendra virus excretion was much less in little red flying foxes and in grey-headed flying foxes," she said.
The 12-month project tested flying foxes' stress hormones and virus levels.
Studies would continue into the roles of species, environmental factors and horse behavior in hendra transmission, Dr Field said.
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