Understanding how infections pass between people and animals
Disease transmission along complex human-animal networks: a novel method for improving zoonotic disease modeling
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11193964
This project builds new ways to map how people and animals mix so we can better predict and prevent infections that jump from animals to people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11193964 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers will collect real-world data on who meets which animals and when, in several different communities and disease settings. They will use network mapping and mathematical models to show how infections can move through combined human-animal contact webs. The team will test these methods using data from four high-burden zoonotic diseases to prove the approach works. If successful, the methods will help public health teams design smarter surveillance and targeted interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have regular close contact with animals—such as farmers, livestock handlers, veterinarians, pet owners, or residents of communities where animal-linked infections are common.
Not a fit: People whose illnesses are unrelated to animals or who have little to no contact with animals are unlikely to see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help public health predict and stop outbreaks that start in animals, lowering the chance people get sick from zoonotic infections.
How similar studies have performed: Network approaches have improved understanding of transmission within human-only and livestock-only groups, but applying combined human-animal network analysis is new and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MEISNER, JULIANNE — UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Study coordinator: MEISNER, JULIANNE
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.
Conditions: Airway infections