Scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have identified a new virus in Australian flying foxes, a discovery which strengthens Australia’s preparedness against emerging infectious diseases.
Named Salt Gully virus, the novel henipavirus was discovered in bat urine samples collected in Queensland.
CSIRO researchers were able to isolate and grow Salt Gully virus in CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) high containment laboratory.
Salt Gully virus belongs to the same virus family as Hendra virus, which has caused fatal infections in horses and humans in Australia, and Nipah virus, known for causing outbreaks in humans across Asia.
Jennifer Barr, experimental scientist at CSIRO’s ACDP, said henipaviruses are recognised by the World Health Organization as priority pathogens for research, and the discovery increases knowledge of this important virus group.
“Although Salt Gully virus is new to science, there’s no cause for public alarm,” Mrs Barr said.
“We’ve detected Salt Gully virus in bat samples dating back to 2011, which shows it’s been circulating in nature for over a decade without any evidence of it causing illness in animals or humans,” Mrs Barr said.
This discovery provides a foundation for further research into how the virus compares with Hendra and Nipah, including its potential to cause disease.
“Early findings show Salt Gully virus does not rely on the same cell receptors as Hendra or Nipah viruses, suggesting that the infection process will be different. As a result, we can’t predict whether it will result in future disease outbreaks in humans or animals,” Mrs Barr said.
By understanding these viruses, researchers can better prepare for potential outbreaks.
“Now that we’ve identified the virus, diagnostic tests can be developed. This means if a spillover from bats and disease outbreak were to occur, we’d have the tools to detect this virus earlier – enabling timely measures to prevent further spread," Mrs Barr explained.
The existing Hendra vaccine for horses remains effective against Hendra virus disease, and Salt Gully virus does not compromise this protection. Its discovery does not change the current health risk posed by bats.
ACDP is a vital part of Australia’s preparedness for disease outbreaks. Its microbiologically and physically secure facilities allow teams to work safely with animal and zoonotic diseases while keeping them securely contained.
The research, published in the September issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, marks a significant step forward in understanding viruses that originate in wildlife and could pose a risk to livestock and human health.
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Background information
Salt Gully Virus FAQs
What is Salt Gully virus?
Salt Gully virus is a newly identified virus from the Henipavirus genus, discovered in flying foxes in Queensland.
What are henipaviruses?
Henipaviruses are a group of viruses carried by fruit bats. Some, like Hendra and Nipah viruses, can cause serious illness in animals and humans.
Is Salt Gully virus dangerous to humans or animals?
We’ve detected Salt Gully virus in bat samples dating back to 2011, which shows it’s been circulating in nature for over a decade. There is currently no evidence that Salt Gully virus has caused illness in humans or animals. Its potential to infect humans and animals resulting in disease is still being studied.
Henipaviruses are recognised as priority pathogens for research by WHO due to their high mortality rate, epidemic potential, and lack of specific treatments.
Is Salt Gully virus the next COVID-19?
No. Salt Gully virus was isolated from bat urine and has not been shown to spread between humans. COVID-19, on the other hand, is a human-to-human transmissible virus that caused a global pandemic. Unlike COVID-19, Salt Gully virus has not caused any known disease in humans or animals.
Should we be culling bats to prevent virus spread?
No. The discovery of Salt Gully virus does not change the current health risk posed by bats. Flying foxes are protected species and play a vital role in pollinating native trees and spreading seeds. Without them, ecosystems like eucalypt forests and rainforests would suffer.
As always, people should avoid direct contact with bats and report sick or injured bats to a wildlife care organisation or veterinarian.
Does Salt Gully virus affect the Hendra vaccine for horses?
No. Salt Gully virus is not the same as Hendra virus. The current Hendra vaccine (Equivax) remains effective against Hendra virus. There is no need to change vaccination protocols.
Is this gain-of-function research?
No. This is a naturally occurring virus we have isolated from wild bats. CSIRO researchers are studying Salt Gully virus’ natural characteristics to better understand henipaviruses and improve Australia’s preparedness for future outbreaks.
What should I do if I see a bat or come into contact with one?
If you have been, or think you may have been, bitten or scratched by a bat, get immediate medical attention.
Flying foxes should only be handled by people who are appropriately vaccinated, trained, and wearing personal protective equipment. Injured or sick flying foxes should be reported to a wildlife care organisation or local veterinarian.
Is there any evidence that Salt Gully virus can infect humans or horses? Would it look similar to Hendra and Nipah if it did?
We know by analysing historical samples back to 2011, that it’s been circulating in nature for over a decade without reports of Salt Gully virus causing illness in animals or humans to date.
Current analysis has shown that Salt Gully virus does not use the same receptors to attach to cells as Hendra or Nipah viruses. Work continues to investigate this virus and its ability to cause disease in animal models such as those that Hendra and Nipah cause disease in. This work is necessary to inform the risk that this virus may pose to humans and animals.
There was a study earlier this year that found new bat viruses in China, is Salty Gully novel compared to these other viruses?
Yes, it is a completely new and different virus. Salt Gully virus and the two viruses in China belong to the same genus, but they are completely different.
This is only the fourth ever henipavirus to be isolated, with four additional viruses being identified by sequence only.
Is growing Salt Gully virus in the lab particularly important?
Yes, being able to grow the virus in the lab is significant. This enables further work to investigate the virus’s ability to cause disease in humans and animals. Without a virus isolate, as is seen with many of the new viruses identified (including the two from China), it is not possible to conduct these studies.