BATS, VECTORS AND EMERGING DISEASES: A ONE HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Resumo

This review explores the fundamental role of bats as reservoirs of infectious agents, emphasizing the One Health approach to understanding and mitigating the emergence of diseases. Bats harbor several zoonotic pathogens and facilitate their transmission between humans, domestic animals and wildlife. The study highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the evolutionary dynamics of pathogens, highlighting factors such as habitat loss, climate change and human behavior that contribute to disease spread events. Bats, with their ancient evolutionary history and vast geographic distribution, serve as long-standing reservoirs for infectious agents around the world, posing risks when pathogens jump to new hosts. In addition, the review discusses the fundamental role of vectors associated with bats such as ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, and presents the main microorganisms detected in bats to date. Strategies to mitigate disease cycles without harming bat populations are crucial, considering their ecological importance and the complexity of wildlife-related disease dynamics. In conclusion, understanding the intricate relationships between bats and the emergence of diseases is essential for effective public health strategies. Preserving the habitat and life of bats, and at the same time monitoring the first signs of disease in these animals, can help prevent future outbreaks and protect human health.