Defining new pathways to manage the ongoing emergence of bat rabies in Latin America

Benavides, J. A. et al. (2020) Defining new pathways to manage the ongoing emergence of bat rabies in Latin America. Viruses, 12(9), 1002. (doi: 10.3390/v12091002) (PMID:32911766) (PMCID:PMC7551776)

Abstract

Rabies transmitted by common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) has been known since the early 1900s but continues to expand geographically and in the range of species and environments affected. In this review, we present current knowledge of the epidemiology and management of rabies in D. rotundus and argue that it can be reasonably considered an emerging public health threat. We identify knowledge gaps related to the landscape determinants of the bat reservoir, reduction in bites on humans and livestock, and social barriers to prevention. We discuss how new technologies including autonomously-spreading vaccines and reproductive suppressants targeting bats might manage both rabies and undesirable growth of D. rotundus populations. Finally, we highlight widespread under-reporting of human and animal mortality and the scarcity of studies that quantify the efficacy of control measures such as bat culling. Collaborations between researchers and managers will be crucial to implement the next generation of rabies management in Latin America.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Benavides, Dr Julio and Streicker, Professor Daniel
• Authors: Benavides, J. A., Valderrama, W., Recuenc, S., Uieda, W., Suzán, G., Avila-Flores, R., Velasco-Villa, A., Almeida, M., de Andrade, F. A.G., Molina-Flores, B., Vigilato, M. A. N., Pompei, J. C. A., Tizzani, P., Carrera, J. E., Ibanez, D., and Streicker, D. G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Viruses
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1999-4915
• ISSN (Online): 1999-4915
• Published Online: 08 September 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Viruses 12(9): 1002
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
169793		Managing viral emergence at the interface of bats and livestock	Daniel Streicker	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	102507/Z/13/ZR	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine
307106		Epidemiology meets biotechnology: preventing viral emergence from bats	Daniel Streicker	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	217221/Z/19/Z	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine