Location: Research Programs
Project Number: 3022-32000-018-060-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2024
End Date: Sep 1, 2025
Objective:
The objective of this project is to investigate the risk of spillover of high consequence agriculture pathogens from bats in South America. With the exception of Antartica, bats are found worldwide. Over 1100 species of bats have been identified. These mammals have been identified to harbor a large number of pathogens. To date over 200 viruses have been identified, the majority of these RNA viruses and include members of rhabdoviridae, paramyxoviridae, coronoaviridae and filoviridae and other viral families. The distribution of bats, the diversity of viruses they carry, the mechanisms of viral persistence and contact with animals and humans are critical variables in assessing the risk of zoonotic spillovers and the potential impact on agriculture. This project will focus on South America, an area where little work has been conducted. Objective one will map bat populations and potential contact with humans, wild life, domestic and agriculture animals (Peru INSERT STUDY SITE). Objective 2 will focus on the collection of samples from bats for molecular and potential serologic investigation.
Approach:
Bats have been associated with multiple high consequence zoonotic pathogens including Nipah virus, Hendra virus and Marburg virus. Peridomestic animals have also been associated with spillover events of many pathogens such as MPOX, Ebola virus, and rabies virus. To maximize limited resources the first objective will be a landscape analysis to identify locations with the greatest risk of spillover. Risk will be assessed by: the size of the bat populations; proximity to humans, wildlife, domestic and agriculture animals; cultural practices; farming practices including density; land use and previous reports of spillover or suspected spillovers. Areas determined to be the highest risk will be prioritized. Bats will be humanely captured and sampled under approved protocols. Samples will be used for targeted and agnostic molecular evaluation and potential serological investigation.If possible air sampling and environmental sampling will be incorporated.
