Predicting and preventing bat virus spillovers in Madagascar
Crossing scales to predict and prevent bat virus zoonoses in a Madagascar ecosystem
Researchers are tracking bat viruses in Madagascar to find when and how they might jump to people and to help stop future outbreaks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11379626 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, the team will follow bat populations over time in Madagascar, collecting biological samples and health data to see which viruses are present and when. They will use molecular tests and antibody (serology) testing to build a timeline of infections and immune responses in bats. The project links seasonal, ecological, and population-level data to look for conditions that make spillover to people more likely. That information will be used to model risk and suggest ways to reduce the chance of outbreaks reaching communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people living or working near bat colonies in Madagascar who could provide exposure information, samples, or take part in surveillance activities.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for an active infection or chronic care needs would not directly benefit from this ecological surveillance research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help prevent future human outbreaks by identifying high-risk times, places, and virus types before spillover occurs.
How similar studies have performed: Related surveillance and serology studies have identified hotspots and seasonal patterns for bat viruses, though precisely predicting spillovers to people remains difficult.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brook, Cara — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Brook, Cara
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.