The ecosystems that bring together human, animal, and wildlife populations have become hotspots for the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Among the emerging pathogens of increasing concern in Cameroon is henipavirus, a virus known for its danger, particularly within bat populations. A recent study sheds new light on the circulation of this virus in fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) and rodents in the Centre and North regions of Cameroon, at the interface between humans, wildlife, and livestock.
What Is Henipavirus?
Henipavirus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, includes infamous viruses like Nipah (NiV) and Hendra (HeV), responsible for severe outbreaks in Asia and Australia. These viruses can cross over from animals, particularly bats, to humans and livestock. The potential for such spillover events in Africa, where bat populations live in close proximity to humans and livestock, represents a significant public health risk.
The Study: A Look at the Wildlife-Human-Livestock Interface
The research led by Mbu’u et al. (2025) explored the serological and molecular presence of henipavirus in over 600 fruit bats and rodents collected from 2018 to 2020 in Cameroon. The aim was to provide the first definitive evidence of henipavirus activity in wildlife populations at the human-animal-wildlife interface.
Using innovative methods like Bead-based Multiplex Binding Assay (BMBA) and ELISA, the researchers successfully identified henipavirus-specific antibodies in 3.6% of bat transudates, suggesting exposure to the virus. Interestingly, the seroprevalence was higher in the Centre Region (4.1%) compared to the North Region (2.9%), which could indicate different regional risks. The study also revealed that female bats were more likely to test positive, likely due to heightened stress during reproduction, a known risk factor for increased susceptibility to viral infections.
Despite extensive testing, no henipavirus RNA sequences were detected in bat, rodent, or shrew populations, which may reflect limitations in the sampling process or degradation of RNA in the collected samples. This result underscores the complexity of detecting active viral infections, particularly in wildlife.
A Wake-Up Call for Surveillance
Henipavirus remains an underappreciated threat in Africa, where surveillance infrastructure for such emerging pathogens is still limited. The failure to detect viral RNA in rodent and shrew populations contrasts with findings from other parts of the world, where these species have been identified as reservoirs for henipavirus. This suggests that Africa may still have gaps in fully understanding the ecology of these viruses.
This study highlights the importance of ongoing wildlife surveillance programs that apply a One Health approach. By closely monitoring animal populations, we can identify potential threats before they spill over into human populations. Additionally, more robust testing methods, such as whole genome sequencing, could provide clearer insights into the diversity of henipaviruses circulating in African wildlife.
The Way Forward
The detection of henipavirus antibodies in fruit bats near human settlements highlights the need for better public health preparedness. Given the lack of commercial diagnostic tools for henipavirus in Africa, the research team’s success in developing and validating cost-effective, reliable serological assays represents a significant step forward in disease surveillance.
For veterinary and public health professionals, this study serves as a reminder of the ever-present risk posed by zoonotic diseases at the wildlife-human-livestock interface. As bat populations continue to thrive in urban and peri-urban areas, monitoring their health will be critical to preventing future outbreaks.
The research calls for stronger collaborative efforts between governments, researchers, and local communities to bolster surveillance systems and implement proactive strategies to mitigate the risks posed by zoonotic diseases like henipavirus.
As this study shows, Africa’s complex ecosystems, where humans, animals, and wildlife interact closely, must strengthen surveillance to prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Cameroon now joins the growing list of countries recognizing the importance of tracking these potentially deadly viruses at the human-wildlife-livestock interface.
Source : Mbu’u, C. M., Gontao, P., Wade, A., Penning, M., Sadeghi, B., Mbange, A. E., … & Balkema-Buschmann, A. (2025). Serological and molecular analysis of henipavirus infections in synanthropic fruit bat and rodent populations in the Centre and North regions of Cameroon (2018–2020). BMC Veterinary Research, 21(1), 93.
