How can a bat infect a human? Episode 5 of WVU's COVID-19 podcast out now

How exactly did a virus from a bat jump to humans?

In this week’s episode of the “WVU and the Coronavirus” podcast, Dr. Rita Rio, biology professor in the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts & Sciences, talks about “spillover events,” and explains how a coronavirus from a bat could make the leap to cause a global pandemic.

The episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

In this interview-driven series, “WVU and the Coronavirus” will examine what we already know about COVID-19, find out the latest information about the virus, explore how RNA viruses like coronaviruses work, and learn how the University community has responded to the global pandemic.

Previously publsihed episodes - available now - explore the basics of COVID-19, RNA viruses, how West Virginia has fared, and an effort to make 10,000 masks by a fashion professor and her students.

Written by Stacey Elza, Wendy Holdren and David Ryan. Narrated by David Ryan. Sound mixed by Sean Hines.

For more information, visit the “WVU and the Coronavirus” show page. 

Additionally, find COVID-19 resources with general information and specific details related to populations such as students, faculty and staff, researchers, healthcare providers or the general public. Other resources, including a quick reference fact sheet, videos, social media graphics, field experts, media contact information and more are also available.

Visit coronavirus.wvu.edu/media-resources and the WVUToday Media Center.

Produced by University Relations at West Virginia University.