We've had bird flu and swine flu - now scientists have found BAT FLU (and it could pose a threat to humans)

• U.S health officials have found influenza in Guatemalan bats
• Strain could pose a risk to humans if it mingled with more common forms of flu
• Scientists haven't yet been able to grow the new virus in chicken eggs or in human cells in a lab

By Claire Bates

Last updated at 8:38 AM on 29th February 2012

Scientists have found evidence of flu in bats for the first time - and warn it could pose a threat to humans.

U.S. health officials say they found genetic fragments of a never-before-seen virus in some Guatemalan bats.

Flu bugs are common in humans, birds, pigs and a variety of other mammals, but this is the first time one has been documented in these winged mammals.

'Most people were fairly convinced we had already discovered flu in all the possible' animals, said Ruben Donis, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientist who co-authored the new study.

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2108036/Weve-bird-flu-swine-flu--scientists-warn-BAT-flu-rise.html