Summary
This case report describes an unusual mortality event in the genetically isolated Egyptian fruit bat population of northern Cyprus, characterised by a 12-fold surge in hospital admissions during Jan–Jun 2025 with high acute mortality and concurrent population declines at multiple roosts. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from clinical specimens and is consistent with observed purulent lesions, though causality for population-level declines remains undetermined and may involve additional unassessed pathogens, toxins, or multi-factor stressors. The authors recommend urgent longitudinal monitoring, expanded pathogen surveillance with whole-genome sequencing, toxicological screening, and development of a species recovery plan.
Regional applicability
This is a case study from Cyprus and does not directly address United Kingdom bat populations or systems. However, the methodological approach (combining clinical surveillance, microbiological investigation, and roost surveys) may be transferable to UK bat mortality monitoring if similar mortality events occur; S. aureus in UK bats would merit investigation using comparable protocols.
Key measures
Hospital admission numbers and acute mortality rates; bacteriological culture and PCR identification of S. aureus; antibiotic susceptibility testing; roost population counts at ten sites (Feb–Mar 2026); presence/absence of environmental disturbance indicators
Outcomes reported
The study documented an unprecedented surge in Egyptian fruit bat hospital admissions (12 individuals Jan–Jun 2025 vs sporadic prior admissions) with high acute mortality, concurrent roost population declines, and microbiological isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical specimens. Potential causality remains uncertain; multi-factor stressors and other pathogens cannot be excluded.
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