Genetic Relative of SARS Found in Bats

Scientists are speculating that SARS may have originated in Bats. I wonder if bats are susceptible to the avian flu? Just curious if anybody knows. At any-rate, if they can find the source of SARS that would go along way to helping with prevention efforts.

WASHINGTON - Scientists in China say they have found a genetic relative of the human SARS virus in a local species of bat, raising the possibility that the bats were a primary source of the disease when it was transmitted to humans.

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After SARS first became a threat in 2002, research suggested the virus may have come from the civet, a catlike wild animal eaten by people in southern China. Thousands were seized from Chinese wildlife markets and slaughtered.

The new research raises the possibility that the bats may have given the civets the SARS virus or given it directly to humans. The article suggests two possible means of direct transmission to humans: Bat meat, considered a delicacy in parts of Asia, and bat feces, used in traditional Chinese medicine.

It is unclear where the bats got the virus.
SARS and bats?

[edit on 9/10/05 by FredT]

Hopefully this will help in cures and vaccines.
I believe when it comes to these things we need to take a closer look at the animal kingdom.