How bat viruses spread to farm animals and people in Bangladesh
Solving Opportunities for Spillover (SOS): Frequency and Mechanisms of Cross-species Transmission of Henipaviruses in Bangladesh
Researchers are tracking how bat-borne henipaviruses move into farm animals and people in Bangladesh to find ways to lower the chance of infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247076 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows bats, nearby domestic animals, and people in Faridpur, Bangladesh, using blood tests and lab assays to look for henipavirus exposure. Teams will observe bat–animal interactions, collect weather and ecological data, and interview farmers and households about animal contact and practices. The study combines one-time surveys with ongoing (prospective) sampling so new infections can be identified as they occur and viruses can be typed in the lab. The goal is to map the common pathways that let these viruses jump from bats into domestic animals and when humans may be at risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in or near Faridpur District and who have regular contact with bats or domesticated animals (for example, farmers, livestock handlers, or household members) would be the best candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People who live outside the study area or who have no contact with bats or farm animals are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to times, places, and behaviors to target so we can reduce animal-to-human spillovers of henipaviruses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous outbreak investigations and animal serology studies have linked bats to human henipavirus infections, but this combined, prospective approach to pinpoint specific bat-to-animal-to-human pathways is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gurley, Emily Suzanne — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Gurley, Emily Suzanne
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 below.