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Bats get blamed for the virus. But here in U.S., do bats face risk of human infections?

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 19: At the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, thousands of bats live under the bypass and come out at dusk. Bats play a vital roll by eating insects that destroy crops. Corkie Quirk, program coordinator for the Yolo Basin Foundation, and a bat aficionado, wore a mask and gloves while she handled a few of her "ambassador" bats - injured bats that can't be released back into the wild, but live within the comfort of her home.The exact source of the coronavirus Covid-19 is still unknown, but some are blaming bats. Bats are social mammals, and can catch viruses from humans. They already have and it's called white-nose syndrome, an emerging disease in North American bats which has resulted in the dramatic decrease of the bat population in the United States and Canada, reportedly killing millions as of 2018. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

At the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats live under the bypass and come out at dusk.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Bats get blamed for the virus

A colony of Mexican free-tailed bats under the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Bats get blamed for the virus

Corky Quirk is program coordinator for the Yolo Basin Foundation — and a bat aficionado.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Bats get blamed for the virus

A Pallid bat at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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Bats get blamed for the virus

Thousands of bats from the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area take flight at dusk. Bats play a vital role by eating insects that destroy crops.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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