Many emerging diseases are caused by zoonotic pathogens which spillover from wildlife reservoirs to humans following changes in demography, behavior or environment. Veterinarians can provide important input into research on emerging zoonoses, but specific training programs for these are lacking. The proposed training program will provide multidisciplinary training in molecular and serological diagnostic techniques and mathematical modeling of disease dynamics of a lethal zoonosis. Nipah virus (NiV) is a recently discovered, lethal, Class C potential bioterror pathogen with a case fatality rate of 40 - 79% in humans and for which no vaccines, nor clinically-proven therapies exist. Fruit bats (Pteropus spp.), have been identified as the natural reservoir for NiV and related viruses in Asia and Australia. Since 2001, NiV has caused five recognized outbreaks in Bangladesh and one in India. In contrast to Malaysia, where the virus first emerged, no intermediate animal host has been identified in Bangladesh, and there is evidence of direct bat-to-human transmission and person-to-person transmission.
The specific aims of this proposal are to: 1) Examine the distribution of NiV in flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus) in Bangladesh and bat migration among colonies by catching and testing bats for NiV using serological and molecular techniques, and satellite telemetry;2) Test the hypothesis that seasonal NiV outbreaks in Bangladesh correspond to seasonal spikes in viral prevalence in fruit bat reservoirs during pregnancy and synchronous birthing, by conducting a longitudinal study within a bat colony in an area adjacent to a human NiV outbreak;and 3) Develop a parameterized predictive model for Nipah virus emergence in Bangladesh using data from this research to inform the model. I will co-analyse human epidemiological data with bat transmission data to identify specific temporal, spatial and contact risks for NiV spillover. Results from this study can be used to inform public health policy for the prevention of Nipah virus outbreaks. Ultimately, I hope to create a model for identifying """"""""hotspots"""""""" of high risk for NiV outbreaks in Bangladesh which can then be extrapolated to other countries where fruit bats occur such as India. This training program will provide a unique opportunity to develop my skills as a veterinary epidemiologist so that I can design and lead future research on the causes of zoonotic disease emergence.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
3K08AI067549-03S1
Application #
7921124
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Cassetti, Cristina
Project Start
2009-09-22
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2009-09-22
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$49,994
Indirect Cost
Name
Ecohealth Alliance, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
077090066
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10001
Anthony, Simon J; Epstein, Jonathan H; Murray, Kris A et al. (2013) A strategy to estimate unknown viral diversity in mammals. MBio 4:e00598-13
Daszak, Peter; Zambrana-Torrelio, Carlos; Bogich, Tiffany L et al. (2013) Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding disease emergence: the past, present, and future drivers of Nipah virus emergence. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110 Suppl 1:3681-8
Epstein, Jonathan H; Baker, Michelle L; Zambrana-Torrelio, Carlos et al. (2013) Duration of Maternal Antibodies against Canine Distemper Virus and Hendra Virus in Pteropid Bats. PLoS One 8:e67584
Epstein, Jonathan H; Zambriski, Jennifer A; Rostal, Melinda K et al. (2011) Comparison of intravenous medetomidine and medetomidine/ketamine for immobilization of free-ranging variable flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus). PLoS One 6:e25361
Vandegrift, Kurt J; Wale, Nina; Epstein, Jonathan H (2011) An ecological and conservation perspective on advances in the applied virology of zoonoses. Viruses 3:379-97
Epstein, Jonathan H; Quan, Phenix-Lan; Briese, Thomas et al. (2010) Identification of GBV-D, a novel GB-like flavivirus from old world frugivorous bats (Pteropus giganteus) in Bangladesh. PLoS Pathog 6:e1000972
Homaira, N; Rahman, M; Hossain, M J et al. (2010) Nipah virus outbreak with person-to-person transmission in a district of Bangladesh, 2007. Epidemiol Infect 138:1630-6
Epstein, Jonathan H; Price, Joan T (2009) The significant but understudied impact of pathogen transmission from humans to animals. Mt Sinai J Med 76:448-55
Kaufman, Gretchen E; Epstein, Jonathan H; Paul-Murphy, Joanne et al. (2008) Designing graduate training programs in conservation medicine-producing the right professionals with the right tools. Ecohealth 5:519-27
Epstein, Jonathan H; Prakash, Vibhu; Smith, Craig S et al. (2008) Henipavirus infection in fruit bats (Pteropus giganteus), India. Emerg Infect Dis 14:1309-11