Bats are reservoirs for several zoonotic viruses, such as Ebola and coronaviruses. These pathogens can spread to humans through direct contact with the flying mammals or their bodily fluids, or indirectly through contaminated food and water or through intermediate animal hosts. Efforts to reduce these risks have included culling and experimental attempts to vaccinate individual animals. However, these methods are often ineffective, as well as being impractical and potentially harmful to ecosystems.
