Current scientific consensus suggests that rabies, caused by lyssaviruses, most likely originated in Old World bats.
This conclusion stems from several key observations:
- Reservoir Hosts: Old World bats serve as confirmed reservoir hosts for 14 of the 16 known viral species within the Lyssavirus genus. This strong association points to a long evolutionary relationship.
- Phylogenetic Analysis: Studies analyzing the genetic relationships between different lyssaviruses support the idea of an origin in bats, specifically within the Old World.
- Geographic Distribution: The widespread distribution of bats across the Old World further supports this hypothesis.
Therefore, while pinpointing the exact geographic location and timeframe of rabies' origin remains challenging, the available evidence strongly indicates that it emerged from lyssaviruses harbored by Old World bat populations.
