Additional RT-PCR screening was performed on the same samples using specific primers designed from the RdRp nucleotide sequences of bat SaVs obtained from previous rounds of RT-PCR and sequencing, as RT-PCR screening with specific primers usually offers higher sensitivity than a comparable screening with consensus degenerate primers. Sequences of the specific primers are as follows: forward primer 59-CACAATGCAGCCAGCCA-39 and reverse primer 59-GGTGCGCGTGGTGAACAC-39. PCR cycling conditions were as follows: hot start at 94uC for 7 min, followed by 50 cycles of 94uC for 1 min, 52uC for 1 min and 72uC for 1 min with a final extension at 72uC for 10 min in an automated thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems). Standard precautions were taken to avoid PCR contamination and no falsepositive signal was observed in the negative controls. PCR product purification and sequencing were performed as above.