Northern Italy is experiencing increased interaction between bat populations and pig farms, prompting a novel study into the potential for virus transmission, researchers announced Wednesday, February 28, 2026.
At least eight species of bats frequent areas surrounding pig farms in the region, according to the Italian institute for animal health, food safety and zoonoses (IZSVe). While bats provide ecological benefits, such as insect control, researchers have identified vulnerabilities in farm biosecurity that could facilitate the spread of viruses.
The interface between wildlife, livestock, and humans is a “dynamic and often permeable boundary” where infectious diseases with epidemic potential can emerge, said IZSVe researcher Stefania Leopardi. Pig farms, in particular, can act as “hot spots” for the spread and emergence of dangerous viral variants.
A study published in PLoS One in October 2025, led by Francesca Festa of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, applied a multidisciplinary approach combining bioacoustic surveys, landscape analysis, and molecular virology to assess the risk of coronavirus transmission from bats to pigs in intensive farming systems in Northern Italy.
Bats are recognized reservoirs of diverse coronaviruses, and some of these viruses have evolved into species harmful to humans and livestock, including SARS-CoV-2 and the porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus, researchers noted. The precise mechanisms driving viral spillover remain largely unknown.
Transmission of viruses like Nipah virus to humans can occur through direct contact with infected animals – including bats and pigs – or by consuming contaminated fruits, according to the World Health Organization. Cases of Nipah virus infection have been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore, with a case fatality rate estimated between 40% and 75%.
Reinforcing biosecurity measures on pig farms is seen as a key step in mitigating the risk of exposure to coronaviruses and other viruses associated with wildlife. This includes addressing gaps in physical barriers and improving overall hygiene protocols, according to IZSVe.
Outbreaks of Nipah virus were reported in India as recently as 2026, according to the WHO.
