The discovery of a new virus among the western barred bandicoot population could help in the recovery of the endangered species.

The virus was first identified by Murdoch’s Senior Lecturer in Pathology, Dr Mandy O’Hara, when investigating a skin condition exhibited by bandicoots in the Department of Environment and Conservations recovery program.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences PhD student Lucy Woolford then collaborated with scientists at the University of Leuven in Belgium to take the discovery further, establishing it was a completely new virus family.

“The new virus has features of both the polyoma and papilloma viruses that can cause cancer in both humans and animals,” Dr Woolford said.

“The problem for the bandicoots is that the virus is compromising conservation efforts to save the endangered animal. This is because it results in warts and skin cancers and predisposes them to infections which increase their vulnerability to predators.”

Murdoch University pathologist Dr Mandy O’Hara said the discovery was very exciting and an important factor in planning for the recovery effort of the species.