Point of infection?

Brent Stirton's Image

Brent Stirton (South Africa) documents the impacts of the illegal bushmeat trade across the Congo Basin.

A trader uses their teeth to pull out the wing bones of a straw-coloured fruit bat so that it can be wrapped in its wings for the customer. This practice risks diseases being transmitted from the wild animal to people through direct contact.

This and other bat species are known to be a natural host to Ebola, a viral haemorrhagic illness that can often be fatal.


Behind the lens

Brent Stirton

Brent Stirton

South Africa

Brent is a Senior Correspondent for Getty Images. He does most of his work for National Geographic Magazine, focusing on the intersection of humans and the environment.

Image details

  • Canon EOS R5
  • 24–70mm f2.8 lens
  • 1/500 sec at f4  •   ISO 200
  • Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
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