How necessary is it to use Bat Guano that has been shipped halfway around the world? Is it sustainable to do that?

I don't think I've ever used bat guano, at least knowingly. If it's processed into fertilizer pellets it would not be possible to tell what the source was, but with that much processing I doubt either mites or viruses would survive.

I don't know about bird flu, but viruses usually can't survive long outside of a host.

Some of the browns I use have bat guano, but I am not too keen on the idea. I want plain browns, just wood, but that is harder to find and more expensive.

Actually, migrating birds are the common suspects when it comes to spreading Type A viruses.

Bats are mammals, not birds. They hibernate or do a combination of a short migration combined with hibernation.

What's new is finding this virus in bats, not because it hasn't been there before, but because they haven't looked there before.

From the article:
Despite this warning, scientists have not been able to grow the new bat virus in chicken eggs or human cells, which is possible with existing flu strains. This suggests that the immediate risk of infection to humans is small. Rather than highlighting a danger to human health, this study is likely to guide further research that may improve the understanding of potential pandemic flu threats to humans in the future.

Here is a link that might be useful: Unique new flu virus found

I glossed right over the fact that bats aren't birds, duh. I was focusing on the transmission possibilities if guano is used as fertilizer.

Tropical: curious what browns you might have access to that have bat guano in them? Guano is about 10-12-2 so very high in nitrogen. Maybe they're pooping just a bit on your wood chips? :=]

The town that my parents live in is infested/blessed with bats. They can be a nuisance and a benefit all at the same time. You can get little bat piles from under just about any shutter, most park shelters, the overhangs of garages. the lean to, the patio table umbrella, etc. etc. Some people's attics are full and that is where it gets nasty.

I do toss it in the compost when sweeping it up, but there isn't enough volume compared to the other stuff in the pile to be significant.