Mount elgon bat virus: A hitherto undescribed virus from Rhinolophus hildebrandtii eloquens K. Anderson

Abstract

A hitherto undescribed virus was isolated from salivary glands of a fruitbat of the speciesRhinolophus hildebrandtii eloquens (K. Andersen). Some of its properties are discussed. Of the viruses, isolated from organs of bats only and not from other sources, this virus is the first of which multiplication in mosquitoes —Aedes aegypti — was demonstrated.

Transmission to infant mice or to a blood reservoir through a batwing membrane was not achieved. The implications of the finding are discussed. The name Mount Elgon Bat virus (MEB) is proposed for the isolate.