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A strategy to assess spillover risk of bat SARS-related coronaviruses in Southeast Asia. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4380. [PMID: 35945197 PMCID: PMC9363439 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31860-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging diseases caused by coronaviruses of likely bat origin (e.g., SARS, MERS, SADS, COVID-19) have disrupted global health and economies for two decades. Evidence suggests that some bat SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) could infect people directly, and that their spillover is more frequent than previously recognized. Each zoonotic spillover of a novel virus represents an opportunity for evolutionary adaptation and further spread; therefore, quantifying the extent of this spillover may help target prevention programs. We derive current range distributions for known bat SARSr-CoV hosts and quantify their overlap with human populations. We then use probabilistic risk assessment and data on human-bat contact, human viral seroprevalence, and antibody duration to estimate that a median of 66,280 people (95% CI: 65,351–67,131) are infected with SARSr-CoVs annually in Southeast Asia. These data on the geography and scale of spillover can be used to target surveillance and prevention programs for potential future bat-CoV emergence. Coronaviruses may spill over from bats to humans. This study uses epidemiological data, species distribution models, and probabilistic risk assessment to map overlap among people and SARSr-CoV bat hosts and estimate how many people are infected with bat-origin SARSr-CoVs in Southeast Asia annually.
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Ali S, Javid A, Imran M, Khan TM, Phelps K, Olival KJ. Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes by residents in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan in connection with bats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:43. [PMID: 35659249 PMCID: PMC9166349 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00541-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fruit bats play an important role in pollination and seed dispersal, and their conservation is important to maintain the productivity of some crops and natural ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perception of fruit bats by orchard farmers and agricultural communities in Pakistan. METHODS The present survey was conducted in two districts (i.e. Sheikhupura and Malakand districts) within Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces based on the higher number of fruit growing areas and bat roosting sites. A total of 200 (100 per district) close-ended questionnaires with 53 questions were administered to randomly selected respondents within the selected communities associated with fruit orchards, including orchard owners, laborers, and members of the surrounding community. Each questionnaire was divided into seven sections (i.e., demographic information, environmental and public health effects of bats, knowledge about bats, perception and control of bats, non-lethal methods adopted to control bats, and different myths about bats). RESULTS A majority of respondents (59%, n = 118) mis-classified bats as birds instead of mammals despite more than 84% reporting that they have observed bats. Nearly 71.5% of orchard farmers perceived that their fruits are contaminated by bats during consumption, and a majority believe that bats destroy orchards (62.5%) and are responsible for spreading disease. Mythology about bats was ambiguous, as 49% of those surveyed did not perceived bats to bring good luck (49%), and 50% did not perceived them to be bad omens either. Most respondents have never killed a bat (68%) nor would they kill a bat if given the opportunity (95%). Regarding the control of bats, the greatest percentage of respondents strongly disagree with shooting bats (36%) and strongly agree with leaving bats alone (42.5%). CONCLUSIONS This study provides a better understanding of the sociodemographic factors associated with knowledge, attitude and perception of bats from fruit orchard owners, labourers and local people. We recommend educational interventions for targeted groups in the community, highlighting the ecosystem services and importance of bat conservation to improve people's current knowledge regarding the role of bats and reduce direct persecution against bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzad Ali
- Wildlife Epidemiology and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (One Health Research Group), Discipline of Zoology, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan.
- Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan.
| | - Arshad Javid
- Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Tahir Mehmood Khan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
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Yadana S, Cheun-Arom T, Li H, Hagan E, Mendelsohn E, Latinne A, Martinez S, Putcharoen O, Homvijitkul J, Sathaporntheera O, Rattanapreeda N, Chartpituck P, Yamsakul S, Sutham K, Komolsiri S, Pornphatthananikhom S, Petcharat S, Ampoot W, Francisco L, Hemachudha T, Daszak P, Olival KJ, Wacharapluesadee S. Behavioral-biological surveillance of emerging infectious diseases among a dynamic cohort in Thailand. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:472. [PMID: 35578171 PMCID: PMC9109443 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07439-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interactions between humans and animals are the key elements of zoonotic spillover leading to zoonotic disease emergence. Research to understand the high-risk behaviors associated with disease transmission at the human-animal interface is limited, and few consider regional and local contexts. Objective This study employed an integrated behavioral–biological surveillance approach for the early detection of novel and known zoonotic viruses in potentially high-risk populations, in an effort to identify risk factors for spillover and to determine potential foci for risk-mitigation measures. Method Participants were enrolled at two community-based sites (n = 472) in eastern and western Thailand and two hospital (clinical) sites (n = 206) in northeastern and central Thailand. A behavioral questionnaire was administered to understand participants’ demographics, living conditions, health history, and animal-contact behaviors and attitudes. Biological specimens were tested for coronaviruses, filoviruses, flaviviruses, influenza viruses, and paramyxoviruses using pan (consensus) RNA Virus assays. Results Overall 61/678 (9%) of participants tested positive for the viral families screened which included influenza viruses (75%), paramyxoviruses (15%), human coronaviruses (3%), flaviviruses (3%), and enteroviruses (3%). The most salient predictors of reporting unusual symptoms (i.e., any illness or sickness that is not known or recognized in the community or diagnosed by medical providers) in the past year were having other household members who had unusual symptoms and being scratched or bitten by animals in the same year. Many participants reported raising and handling poultry (10.3% and 24.2%), swine (2%, 14.6%), and cattle (4.9%, 7.8%) and several participants also reported eating raw or undercooked meat of these animals (2.2%, 5.5%, 10.3% respectively). Twenty four participants (3.5%) reported handling bats or having bats in the house roof. Gender, age, and livelihood activities were shown to be significantly associated with participants’ interactions with animals. Participants’ knowledge of risks influenced their health-seeking behavior. Conclusion The results suggest that there is a high level of interaction between humans, livestock, and wild animals in communities at sites we investigated in Thailand. This study highlights important differences among demographic and occupational risk factors as they relate to animal contact and zoonotic disease risk, which can be used by policymakers and local public health programs to build more effective surveillance strategies and behavior-focused interventions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07439-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Yadana
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thaniwan Cheun-Arom
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | - Alice Latinne
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Country Program, Ha Noi, Viet Nam.,Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Opass Putcharoen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | - Supalak Yamsakul
- The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 5, Ratchaburi, Thailand
| | - Krairoek Sutham
- The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 5, Ratchaburi, Thailand
| | | | | | - Sininat Petcharat
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Centre, Faculty of Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training On Viral Zoonoses, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Weenassarin Ampoot
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Centre, Faculty of Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training On Viral Zoonoses, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Leilani Francisco
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thiravat Hemachudha
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Centre, Faculty of Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training On Viral Zoonoses, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - Supaporn Wacharapluesadee
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
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Suwannarong K, Soonthornworasiri N, Maneekan P, Yimsamran S, Balthip K, Maneewatchararangsri S, Saisongkorh W, Saengkul C, Sangmukdanun S, Phunta N, Singhasivanon P. Rodent–Human Interface: Behavioral Risk Factors and Leptospirosis in a Province in the Central Region of Thailand. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020085. [PMID: 35202338 PMCID: PMC8878075 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This sequential explanatory mixed-method study consisted of analytical, cross-sectional, and qualitative studies. The research was conducted in the Khao Nor and Khao Kaew areas of the Banphot Pisai districts of Nakhon Sawan Province in 2019. Here, we examined the rodent contact characteristics of villagers in these areas and determined the potential characteristics/risk factors associated with rodents using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interview (KII), and focus group discussion (FGD). Results of the quantitative study (N1 = 372) characterized participants that contacted rodents per gender, age, occupation, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), including their cultural contexts, and beliefs. Ninety participants (24.2%) reported contact with rodents, and the reasons for their direct physical rodent contact were hunting (35, 9.4%), killing (41, 11.0%), preparing rodents as food (33, 8.9%), consuming cooked meats (12, 3.2%), feeding food (4, 1.1%), cleaning feces (17, 4.6%), and cleaning carcasses (33, 8.9%). Moreover, logistic regression results showed that males encountering rodents were statistically significant (Adjusted OR = 3.137, 95% CI 1.914–5.139, p < 0.001). Low monthly household income (<THB 15,000 or <USD 450) was also negatively statistically significant with encountering rodents (Adjusted OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.33–0.99, p = 0.04). Additionally, the villagers had a low level of knowledge toward zoonotic diseases and inappropriate attitudes and practices toward contacting rodents and zoonotic diseases. Thirty-five qualitative study participants (N2) participated in the KIIs and FGDs. Various rodent contact activities were also reported among the qualitative research participants, such as hunting, consumption, and selling them to their friends and neighbors. However, these rodents also destroyed their belongings, crops, and plants. Some participants also reported that rodents accounted for leptospirosis transmission. As a result, communication intervention should be planned to provide appropriate knowledge and attitude to the villagers, especially among those who have close contact with rodents in the understudied area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanokwan Suwannarong
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
- SUPA71 Co., Ltd., Bangkok 10230, Thailand
| | - Ngamphol Soonthornworasiri
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +66-2-6444436
| | - Pannamas Maneekan
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Surapon Yimsamran
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
| | | | - Santi Maneewatchararangsri
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Watcharee Saisongkorh
- Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Muang District, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand;
| | - Chutarat Saengkul
- Faculty of Public Health, Nakhon Sawan Campus, Mahidol University, Nakhon Sawan 60130, Thailand;
| | - Suntaree Sangmukdanun
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Nittaya Phunta
- Ban Dan Health Promotion Hospital (under Ministry of Public Health Thailand), Ban Phot Pisai District, Nakhon Sawan 60180, Thailand;
| | - Pratap Singhasivanon
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
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Sánchez CA, Li H, Phelps KL, Zambrana-Torrelio C, Wang LF, Olival KJ, Daszak P. A strategy to assess spillover risk of bat SARS-related coronaviruses in Southeast Asia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2021. [PMID: 34545371 DOI: 10.1101/2021.09.09.21263359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Emerging diseases caused by coronaviruses of likely bat origin (e.g. SARS, MERS, SADS and COVID-19) have disrupted global health and economies for two decades. Evidence suggests that some bat SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) could infect people directly, and that their spillover is more frequent than previously recognized. Each zoonotic spillover of a novel virus represents an opportunity for evolutionary adaptation and further spread; therefore, quantifying the extent of this "hidden" spillover may help target prevention programs. We derive biologically realistic range distributions for known bat SARSr-CoV hosts and quantify their overlap with human populations. We then use probabilistic risk assessment and data on human-bat contact, human SARSr-CoV seroprevalence, and antibody duration to estimate that ∼400,000 people (median: ∼50,000) are infected with SARSr-CoVs annually in South and Southeast Asia. These data on the geography and scale of spillover can be used to target surveillance and prevention programs for potential future bat-CoV emergence.
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Biodiversity loss and COVID-19 pandemic: The role of bats in the origin and the spreading of the disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 538:2-13. [PMID: 33092787 PMCID: PMC7566801 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The loss of biodiversity in the ecosystems has created the general conditions that have favored and, in fact, made possible, the insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of factors have contributed to it: deforestation, changes in forest habitats, poorly regulated agricultural surfaces, mismanaged urban growth. They have altered the composition of wildlife communities, greatly increased the contacts of humans with wildlife, and altered niches that harbor pathogens, increasing their chances to come in contact with humans. Among the wildlife, bats have adapted easily to anthropized environments such as houses, barns, cultivated fields, orchards, where they found the suitable ecosystem to prosper. Bats are major hosts for αCoV and βCoV: evolution has shaped their peculiar physiology and their immune system in a way that makes them resistant to viral pathogens that would instead successfully attack other species, including humans. In time, the coronaviruses that bats host as reservoirs have undergone recombination and other modifications that have increased their ability for inter-species transmission: one modification of particular importance has been the development of the ability to use ACE2 as a receptor in host cells. This particular development in CoVs has been responsible for the serious outbreaks in the last two decades, and for the present COVID-19 pandemic.
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