Biosurveillance for Viral Zoonoses around Bat-Livestock Human interfaces in Southern Africa
Abstract
Bat species, which are widespread in the Southern African region and beyond, have been identified as hosts of a number of viral agents, including filo and viruses related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) corona- and paramyxo- such as the henipaviruses. These viruses have proven to cause substantial human morbidity and mortality, threaten livestock and wildlife health and have pandemic potential. However, their distribution and potential to infect people and livestock in Southern Africa are unknown. This project will focus on building capacity and enhancing surveillance, including early detection programs for henipa-, filo- and zoonotic coronaviruses in Southern Africa. The project will address regional training, including biosafety, bat capturing techniques, clinical sampling, viral detection and serological techniques, developing standardized protocols, ecological data collection and human behavioral studies; establishment of serological and nucleic acid detection technologies in South Africa to develop sustainable regional diagnostic capacity that can be shared; targeted serological and molecular surveillance in bats as well as serological surveillance in potential spillover hosts (livestock and humans); assessing human behavioral risk for exposure to these agents; and multi-stakeholder workshops to develop a sustainable regional biosurveillance strategy, analyze results and develop mitigation strategies and threat reduction policies for the region. Planning, training, execution and reporting will use an interdisciplinary One Health approach.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2020
- Source ID
- HDTRA12010025
Entities
People
- Wanda Markotter
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of Pretoria