One Health Approach for Molecular Epidemiology and Risk Assessment for Bacillus anthracis in India
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a zoonotic disease that is endemic in certain regions of India. To meet these critical health security needs and to complement a larger effort supported by the Indian government, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists and propose studies using a multi-sectoral One Health approach to determine the prevalence of B. anthracis in susceptible populations in endemic regions of the country using standardized fit-for-purpose diagnostics; develop risk maps based on established and empirically identified risk factors; apply molecular epidemiological techniques (including genomics-based strain-typing) to characterize and catalogue circulating strains in select endemic regions of the country; and finally, develop parameterized predictive risk models for the future development of rational risk mitigation policies and disease intervention strategies. Taken together, the results of the investigations undertaken by the proposed OHAI network will help fill critical knowledge and capability gaps and, in turn, inform the development of rational anthrax control and prevention strategies in India. Further, this will enhance, biorisk management, biosafety and security capacity, best laboratory and field epidemiological practices by standardizing SOPs and workflows across veterinary and human health laboratories.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 13, 2021
- Source ID
- HDTRA12110030
Entities
People
- Mohan Pappana
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Pennsylvania State University