Bat behavior and virus shedding linked to spillover risk
Official title: Beyond discovery: bat behavior and virus shedding as drivers of spillover risk
Funded at University of Arkansas at Fayetteville · NIH-11401399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how bat behavior and virus shedding in wild populations could influence the chance that viruses jump to humans or other animals, with a focus on Kenya and Belize.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arkansas at Fayetteville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fayetteville, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $695,305 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI185127-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal for individuals living or working in areas where bat-related spillover risk is a concern, or for communities involved in bat-related activities.
✕Less likely to help
People in regions without bat populations or spillover concerns may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
From a patient-facing view, this project studies how bat behavior and changes in virus shedding might affect spillover risk to people and animals in real-world settings. Researchers will closely monitor bat populations over time, observe movement and social patterns, and conduct field experiments to see how these factors relate to when and how viruses are shed. The work involves collecting data in the wild, analyzing virus presence in bats, and connecting behavioral observations to potential exposure events. The study will generate findings that could inform public health strategies to reduce spillover risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to better ways to prevent outbreaks by understanding when and where spillover is most likely.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that bat behavior and infection dynamics can influence spillover, but long-term longitudinal studies in wild populations remain challenging and informative.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forbes, Kristian Michael — University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- Study coordinator: Forbes, Kristian Michael
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.