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Leaning away from the fire brigade approach towards viral forecasting and pandemic prevention. My research team is working to create a global network to monitor the transfer of viruses between humans and animals.
Current global disease control efforts focus largely on attempting to stop pandemics after they have already emerged. This fire brigade approach, which generally involves drugs, vaccines, and behavioral change, has severe limitations. Just as we discovered in the 1960s that it is better to prevent heart attacks then try to treat them, over the next 50 years we will realize that it is better to stop pandemics before they spread and that effort should increasingly be focused on viral forecasting and pandemic prevention. My research team investigates the process of how novel viruses enter into the human population from animals and go on to become pandemics. We work to control viruses that have only recently emerged. By creating a global network at the interface of humans and animals we are working to move viral forecasting from a theoretical possibility to a reality.
Surveys of researchers, zoo workers and others occupationally exposed to nonhuman primates (NHP) indicate that workers exposed to NHP or their bodily fluids are at risk for infection by simian (monkey or ape) retroviruses as well as other infections of animal origin. Retroviruses of interest include simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), simian T-cell lymphotrophic Virus (STLV), simian foamy virus (SFV), and simian Type-D retrovirus (SRV). Other agents of interest include SARS, Influenza, Hepatitis E Virus, various arboviruses, Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Nipah Virus, Malaria, as well as various bacteria and parasites. The discovery that persons working with NHP were positive for SFV raised the question of whether persons with known non-occupational exposures, such as hunting, butchering or contact with pets, could similarly be positive for any animal retroviral infections. The purpose of this study is to determine if contact with animals in highly exposed populations around the globe, result in the transfer of simian retroviruses, and other zoonotic diseases. Additionally, these studies will help to determine how many people may be affected by these viruses, as well as the most likely methods of transfer.
Whole blood samples will be collected from study participants to determine the proportion of persons positive for zoonotic viruses in the study population. Study participants with exposures to NHP in natural settings will be administered a questionnaire on their work practices and potential exposures to animal infections. Repeat testing will be offered to study participants who are injured when in contact with a NHP or other animal of interest. Willing participants will also be asked to collect blood spots on filter paper form animals they come in contact with, either through hunting, or butchering.In most sites, participants will also be tested for HIV if their SIV test is positive, because antibodies to SIV and HIV may cross-react and give a false positive for the alternate virus. Staff working on this project will work in conjunction with local AIDS or health committee at each site to ensure information is properly communicated and trained counseling is provided for each participant, regardless of their HIV or other animal disease status.
It is important to monitor zoonotic infections as they can be a potential source for new infectious diseases. This study will look at the transmission of found zoonotic infections between humans. A continuation of our study that investigates the prevalence of zoonotic infections in exposed humans who come into regular contact with non-human primates through hunting, butching, and consuming them or keeping them as pets. We will follow highly exposed persons and those who have tested positive for zoonotic infections as well as those with whom they are in close physical contact for 5 years. People of close contact will include children, household members, and any identified sexual partners.
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