Abstract:
Zoonotic and vector-borne pathogens have comprised a significant component of emerging human
infections in recent decades, and bats are increasingly recognized as reservoirs for many of these disease
agents. To identify novel pathogens associated with bats, we screened tissues of bats collected in Kenya.
Virus isolates were identified by next generation sequencing of viral nucleic acid preparations from the
infected cell culture supernatant and characterized molecularly. Here we report the identification of
Fikirini rhabdovirus, a novel rhabdovirus isolated from a bat, Hipposideros vittatus, captured along the
Kenyan coast.
