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Yadana S, Cheun-Arom T, Li H, Hagan E, Mendelsohn E, Latinne A, Martinez S, Putcharoen O, Homvijitkul J, Sathaporntheera O, Rattanapreeda N, Chartpituck P, Yamsakul S, Sutham K, Komolsiri S, Pornphatthananikhom S, Petcharat S, Ampoot W, Francisco L, Hemachudha T, Daszak P, Olival KJ, Wacharapluesadee S. Behavioral-biological surveillance of emerging infectious diseases among a dynamic cohort in Thailand. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:472. [PMID: 35578171 PMCID: PMC9109443 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07439-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interactions between humans and animals are the key elements of zoonotic spillover leading to zoonotic disease emergence. Research to understand the high-risk behaviors associated with disease transmission at the human-animal interface is limited, and few consider regional and local contexts. Objective This study employed an integrated behavioral–biological surveillance approach for the early detection of novel and known zoonotic viruses in potentially high-risk populations, in an effort to identify risk factors for spillover and to determine potential foci for risk-mitigation measures. Method Participants were enrolled at two community-based sites (n = 472) in eastern and western Thailand and two hospital (clinical) sites (n = 206) in northeastern and central Thailand. A behavioral questionnaire was administered to understand participants’ demographics, living conditions, health history, and animal-contact behaviors and attitudes. Biological specimens were tested for coronaviruses, filoviruses, flaviviruses, influenza viruses, and paramyxoviruses using pan (consensus) RNA Virus assays. Results Overall 61/678 (9%) of participants tested positive for the viral families screened which included influenza viruses (75%), paramyxoviruses (15%), human coronaviruses (3%), flaviviruses (3%), and enteroviruses (3%). The most salient predictors of reporting unusual symptoms (i.e., any illness or sickness that is not known or recognized in the community or diagnosed by medical providers) in the past year were having other household members who had unusual symptoms and being scratched or bitten by animals in the same year. Many participants reported raising and handling poultry (10.3% and 24.2%), swine (2%, 14.6%), and cattle (4.9%, 7.8%) and several participants also reported eating raw or undercooked meat of these animals (2.2%, 5.5%, 10.3% respectively). Twenty four participants (3.5%) reported handling bats or having bats in the house roof. Gender, age, and livelihood activities were shown to be significantly associated with participants’ interactions with animals. Participants’ knowledge of risks influenced their health-seeking behavior. Conclusion The results suggest that there is a high level of interaction between humans, livestock, and wild animals in communities at sites we investigated in Thailand. This study highlights important differences among demographic and occupational risk factors as they relate to animal contact and zoonotic disease risk, which can be used by policymakers and local public health programs to build more effective surveillance strategies and behavior-focused interventions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07439-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Yadana
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thaniwan Cheun-Arom
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | - Alice Latinne
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Country Program, Ha Noi, Viet Nam.,Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Opass Putcharoen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | - Supalak Yamsakul
- The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 5, Ratchaburi, Thailand
| | - Krairoek Sutham
- The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 5, Ratchaburi, Thailand
| | | | | | - Sininat Petcharat
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Centre, Faculty of Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training On Viral Zoonoses, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Weenassarin Ampoot
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Centre, Faculty of Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training On Viral Zoonoses, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Leilani Francisco
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thiravat Hemachudha
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Centre, Faculty of Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training On Viral Zoonoses, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - Supaporn Wacharapluesadee
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
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Suwannarong K, Soonthornworasiri N, Maneekan P, Yimsamran S, Balthip K, Maneewatchararangsri S, Saisongkorh W, Saengkul C, Sangmukdanun S, Phunta N, Singhasivanon P. Rodent–Human Interface: Behavioral Risk Factors and Leptospirosis in a Province in the Central Region of Thailand. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020085. [PMID: 35202338 PMCID: PMC8878075 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This sequential explanatory mixed-method study consisted of analytical, cross-sectional, and qualitative studies. The research was conducted in the Khao Nor and Khao Kaew areas of the Banphot Pisai districts of Nakhon Sawan Province in 2019. Here, we examined the rodent contact characteristics of villagers in these areas and determined the potential characteristics/risk factors associated with rodents using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interview (KII), and focus group discussion (FGD). Results of the quantitative study (N1 = 372) characterized participants that contacted rodents per gender, age, occupation, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), including their cultural contexts, and beliefs. Ninety participants (24.2%) reported contact with rodents, and the reasons for their direct physical rodent contact were hunting (35, 9.4%), killing (41, 11.0%), preparing rodents as food (33, 8.9%), consuming cooked meats (12, 3.2%), feeding food (4, 1.1%), cleaning feces (17, 4.6%), and cleaning carcasses (33, 8.9%). Moreover, logistic regression results showed that males encountering rodents were statistically significant (Adjusted OR = 3.137, 95% CI 1.914–5.139, p < 0.001). Low monthly household income (<THB 15,000 or <USD 450) was also negatively statistically significant with encountering rodents (Adjusted OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.33–0.99, p = 0.04). Additionally, the villagers had a low level of knowledge toward zoonotic diseases and inappropriate attitudes and practices toward contacting rodents and zoonotic diseases. Thirty-five qualitative study participants (N2) participated in the KIIs and FGDs. Various rodent contact activities were also reported among the qualitative research participants, such as hunting, consumption, and selling them to their friends and neighbors. However, these rodents also destroyed their belongings, crops, and plants. Some participants also reported that rodents accounted for leptospirosis transmission. As a result, communication intervention should be planned to provide appropriate knowledge and attitude to the villagers, especially among those who have close contact with rodents in the understudied area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanokwan Suwannarong
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
- SUPA71 Co., Ltd., Bangkok 10230, Thailand
| | - Ngamphol Soonthornworasiri
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +66-2-6444436
| | - Pannamas Maneekan
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Surapon Yimsamran
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
| | | | - Santi Maneewatchararangsri
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Watcharee Saisongkorh
- Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Muang District, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand;
| | - Chutarat Saengkul
- Faculty of Public Health, Nakhon Sawan Campus, Mahidol University, Nakhon Sawan 60130, Thailand;
| | - Suntaree Sangmukdanun
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Nittaya Phunta
- Ban Dan Health Promotion Hospital (under Ministry of Public Health Thailand), Ban Phot Pisai District, Nakhon Sawan 60180, Thailand;
| | - Pratap Singhasivanon
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (K.S.); (P.M.); (S.Y.); (S.S.); (P.S.)
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3
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MacFarlane D, Hurlstone MJ, Ecker UKH, Ferraro PJ, Linden S, Wan AKY, Veríssimo D, Burgess G, Chen F, Hall W, Hollands GJ, Sutherland WJ. Reducing demand for overexploited wildlife products: Lessons from systematic reviews from outside conservation science. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas MacFarlane
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
- School of Psychological Science University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Mark J. Hurlstone
- School of Psychological Science University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
- Department of Psychology Lancaster University Lancaster UK
| | - Ullrich K. H. Ecker
- School of Psychological Science University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Paul J. Ferraro
- Carey Business School and the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, A Joint Department of the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Sander Linden
- Department of Psychology, Social Decision‐Making Laboratory University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Anita K. Y. Wan
- Socio‐Ecological and Conservation Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Diogo Veríssimo
- Oxford Martin Program on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, Oxford University Oxford UK
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Gayle Burgess
- TRAFFIC, The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network Cambridge UK
| | - Frederick Chen
- Department of Economics Wake Forest University Winston‐Salem North Carolina USA
| | - Wayne Hall
- National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Gareth J. Hollands
- Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - William J. Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
- BioRISC, St. Catharine's College Cambridge UK
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Vora NM, Osinubi MOV, Davis L, Abdurrahman M, Adedire EB, Akpan H, Aman-Oloniyo AF, Audu SW, Blau D, Dankoli RS, Ehimiyein AM, Ellison JA, Gbadegesin YH, Greenberg L, Haberling D, Hutson C, Idris JM, Kia GSN, Lawal M, Matthias SY, Mshelbwala PP, Niezgoda M, Ogunkoya AB, Ogunniyi AO, Okara GC, Olugasa BO, Ossai OP, Oyemakinde A, Person MK, Rupprecht CE, Saliman OA, Sani M, Sanni-Adeniyi OA, Satheshkumar PS, Smith TG, Soleye MO, Wallace RM, Yennan SK, Recuenco S. Bat and Lyssavirus Exposure among Humans in Area that Celebrates Bat Festival, Nigeria, 2010 and 2013. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:1399-1408. [PMID: 32568051 PMCID: PMC7323560 DOI: 10.3201/eid2607.191016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Using questionnaires and serologic testing, we evaluated bat and lyssavirus exposure among persons in an area of Nigeria that celebrates a bat festival. Bats from festival caves underwent serologic testing for phylogroup II lyssaviruses (Lagos bat virus, Shimoni bat virus, Mokola virus). The enrolled households consisted of 2,112 persons, among whom 213 (10%) were reported to have ever had bat contact (having touched a bat, having been bitten by a bat, or having been scratched by a bat) and 52 (2%) to have ever been bitten by a bat. Of 203 participants with bat contact, 3 (1%) had received rabies vaccination. No participant had neutralizing antibodies to phylogroup II lyssaviruses, but >50% of bats had neutralizing antibodies to these lyssaviruses. Even though we found no evidence of phylogroup II lyssavirus exposure among humans, persons interacting with bats in the area could benefit from practicing bat-related health precautions.
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5
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Suwannarong K, Janetanakit T, Kanthawee P, Suwannarong K, Theamboonlers A, Poovorawan Y, Tun HM, Chanabun S, Amonsin A. Coronavirus seroprevalence among villagers exposed to bats in Thailand. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:464-473. [PMID: 33864357 PMCID: PMC8251071 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A serological survey of human coronavirus antibodies among villagers in 10 provinces of Thailand was conducted during 2016–2018. Serum samples (n = 364) were collected from participants from the villages and tested for coronavirus antibodies using a human coronavirus IgG ELISA kit. Our results showed that 10.44% (38/364; 21 males and 17 females) of the villagers had antibodies against human coronaviruses. The odds ratio for coronavirus positivity in the villagers in the central region who were exposed to bats was 4.75, 95% CI 1.04–21.70, when compared to that in the non‐exposed villagers. The sociodemographics, knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the villagers were also recorded and analysed by using a quantitative structured questionnaire. Our results showed that 62.36% (227/364) of the villagers had been exposed to bats at least once in the past six months. Low monthly family income was statistically significant in increasing the risk for coronavirus seropositivity among the villagers (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.13–7.49). In‐depth interviews among the coronavirus‐positive participants (n = 30) showed that cultural context, local norms and beliefs could influence to bat exposure activities. In conclusion, our results provide baseline information on human coronavirus antibodies and KAP regarding to bat exposure among villagers in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanokwan Suwannarong
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Taveesak Janetanakit
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - Apiradee Theamboonlers
- Center of Excellence for Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Center of Excellence for Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Hein M Tun
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sutin Chanabun
- Sirinthorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen, Ministry of Public Health, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Alongkorn Amonsin
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Biodiversity loss and COVID-19 pandemic: The role of bats in the origin and the spreading of the disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 538:2-13. [PMID: 33092787 PMCID: PMC7566801 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The loss of biodiversity in the ecosystems has created the general conditions that have favored and, in fact, made possible, the insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of factors have contributed to it: deforestation, changes in forest habitats, poorly regulated agricultural surfaces, mismanaged urban growth. They have altered the composition of wildlife communities, greatly increased the contacts of humans with wildlife, and altered niches that harbor pathogens, increasing their chances to come in contact with humans. Among the wildlife, bats have adapted easily to anthropized environments such as houses, barns, cultivated fields, orchards, where they found the suitable ecosystem to prosper. Bats are major hosts for αCoV and βCoV: evolution has shaped their peculiar physiology and their immune system in a way that makes them resistant to viral pathogens that would instead successfully attack other species, including humans. In time, the coronaviruses that bats host as reservoirs have undergone recombination and other modifications that have increased their ability for inter-species transmission: one modification of particular importance has been the development of the ability to use ACE2 as a receptor in host cells. This particular development in CoVs has been responsible for the serious outbreaks in the last two decades, and for the present COVID-19 pandemic.
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7
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Food policy, nutrition and nutraceuticals in the prevention and management of COVID-19: Advice for healthcare professionals. Trends Food Sci Technol 2020; 105:186-199. [PMID: 33519086 PMCID: PMC7834257 DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) represents an ongoing major global health crisis with a potentially unprecedented death toll and socio-economic impact in the modern era. Measures taken to reduce the rate of transmission are too unprecedented, but are deemed necessary. The extensive strain on public health services has meant that individual agency is increasingly called for. To support this, there is a need to review policy and procedure governing the food and commerce industries in particular. Additionally, it is necessary to convey a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of relevant diet and lifestyle factors to both healthcare practitioners and the general public. SCOPE AND APPROACH To our knowledge, a review of possible additional measures for healthcare proffesionals, which includes the possible nutritional management COVID-19 pandemic does not yet exist.Key Findings and Conclusions: This review identifies i) changing trends in consumer awareness and purchasing patterns in response to COVID-19, and their potential future implications for the food and food-commerce industry ii) problematic elements of policy relevant to the outbreak of COVID-19, including the handling of wild-life and food-commerce, ii) newly emergent technologies in food science which represent viable and cost-effective means to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus, such as anti-microbial packaging, iii) important nutritional considerations with regard to coronavirus disease prevention and management, including nutrition in early infancy, and the role of select micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), phytochemicals and probiotics in conferring protection against both viral infection and pathogenicity.
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Abstract
This article presents the status of countries affected by COVID-19 (as of mid-May 2020) and their preparedness to combat the after-effects of the pandemic. The report also provides an analysis of how human behavior may have triggered such a global pandemic and why humans need to consider living sustainably to make our future world livable for all. COVID-19 originated in the city of Wuhan, China in December 2019. As of mid-May, it has spread to 213 countries and territories worldwide. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, with a death toll of over 300,000 to date. The U.S. is currently the most impacted country. Collaborative efforts of scientists and politicians across the world will be needed to better plan and utilize global health resources to combat this global pandemic. Machine learning-based prediction models could also help by identifying potential COVID-19-prone areas and individuals. The cause of the emergence of COVID-19 is still a matter of research; however, one consistent theme is humanity's unsustainable behavior. By sustainably interacting with nature, humans may have avoided this pandemic. If unsustainable human practices are not controlled through education, awareness, behavioral change, as well as sustainable policy creation and enforcement, there could be several such pandemics in our future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant K Singh
- Artificial Intelligence and Analytics, Healthcare and Life Science, Virtusa Corporation, New York, NY, USA
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Suwannarong K, Balthip K, Kanthawee P, Suwannarong K, Khiewkhern S, Lantican C, Ponlap T, Bupha N, Amonsin A. Bats and belief: A sequential qualitative study in Thailand. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04208. [PMID: 32613107 PMCID: PMC7322253 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are wildlife and distribute globally. In Thailand, there are hundreds of bat species in different locations within four regions. However, few motivations and influences for having contact with bats have been documented. This sequential qualitative study was conducted in ten provinces representing the four regions of Thailand from September 2016 to June 2017. The study was designed to obtain information on villagers' attitudes, perceptions, beliefs and cultural contexts in relation to bats. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 305 respondents. Of these respondents, 142 (46.6%) reported coming into contact with bats through various activities, such as hunting, eating, cooking, collecting bat guano, cleaning bat feces, and finding carcasses in houses and communities. Villagers called bats by different names in different regions. They reported having been in contact with bats in different ways based on occupations, bat species, bat habitats, attitudes, perceptions, beliefs toward bats, and cultural contexts. Villagers in the northern and northeastern regions reported having regularly eaten bats. In contrast, the respondents in the central region did not eat bats due to local norms, religious beliefs, and regulations. By ethnicity, the Blu and Thai Dum groups reported coming into contact with and eating bats more often than the Thais. Our results provide evidence-based information on the human-bat interface in different regions in Thailand. The results of this qualitative study could be useful for strategic planning of proper education and interventions for bat conservation, bat contact behavior, and risk of bat-borne diseases among villagers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanokwan Suwannarong
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | - Santisith Khiewkhern
- Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham Province, Thailand
| | | | | | - Nisachon Bupha
- Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
| | - Alongkorn Amonsin
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Suwannarong K, Chanabun S, Kanthawee P, Khiewkhern S, Boonyakawee P, Suwannarong K, Saengkul C, Bubpa N, Amonsin A. Risk factors for bat contact and consumption behaviors in Thailand; a quantitative study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:841. [PMID: 32493260 PMCID: PMC7268181 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08968-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bats serve as an important reservoir for emerging infectious diseases. Bat contact and consumption, which persists in Asia, poses risks for the transmission of bat-borne infections. METHODS An analytical cross-sectional survey for risk factors associated with bat contact and consumption behaviors was conducted in ten provinces of Thailand from May 2016 to December 2017. A standardized questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews was used to collect information from 626 villagers who lived in or nearby areas of high bat density. The questionnaire contained 23 independent variables related to sociodemographic, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions. RESULTS The respondents (n = 626) were 285 females and 341 males, mean age of respondents was 47.58 years-old and lived in rural setting. Our results showed that 36.42% of respondents (n1 = 228) in 10 provinces reported bat contact during the past 6 months. Furthermore, 15.34% of respondents (n2 = 96) in 9 out of 10 provinces reported of having consumed bat meat in the past 6 months. Risk factors for bat contact included sex (male) (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.09-2.28), educational attainment (lower than secondary school) (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.02-2.18), and the consideration of bats as being economically beneficial to the community (OR = 3.18, 95% CI 2.03-4.97), while agriculture-related occupation (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.79), knowledge that it is safe to eat bats (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.37-0.93), practice of allowing children to play with bats (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.44-0.96), and attitude of feeling safe in areas where bats live (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.86) were statistically significant protective factors against bat contact. Risk factors for bat consumption included sex (male) (OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.49-4.11) and educational attainment (lower than secondary school) (OR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.27-3.85), while knowledge of whether bats are safe to eat (OR = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.25), knowledge of whether there are laws pertaining to hunting bats for consumption (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.18-0.71), and the practice of allowing children to play with bats (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.81) were statistically significant protective factors against bat consumption. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a better understanding of the sociodemographic factors, knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices that might influence bat contact and bat consumption behaviors. Information on risk factors can be used for the development of appropriate education and communication interventions to promote proper knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding bats and bat-borne zoonotic diseases in Thailand and other areas in the Southeast Asia region with similar environmental and cultural characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanokwan Suwannarong
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sutin Chanabun
- Sirinthorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen, Ministry of Public Health, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | | | | | - Paisit Boonyakawee
- Sirinthorn College of Public Health Trang, Ministry of Public Health, Trang, Thailand
| | | | - Chutarat Saengkul
- Faculty of Public Health, Nakhon Sawan Campus, Mahidol University, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
| | - Nisachon Bubpa
- Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Alongkorn Amonsin
- Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand
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11
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Evans TS, Myat TW, Aung P, Oo ZM, Maw MT, Toe AT, Aung TH, Hom NS, Shein KT, Thant KZ, Win YT, Thein WZ, Gilardi K, Thu HM, Johnson CK. Bushmeat hunting and trade in Myanmar's central teak forests: Threats to biodiversity and human livelihoods. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020; 22. [PMID: 35574577 PMCID: PMC9098047 DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tierra Smiley Evans
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Theingi Win Myat
- Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar
| | - Pyaephyo Aung
- Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association, Myanmar
| | - Zaw Min Oo
- Myanmar Timber Enterprise, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Myanmar
| | - Min Thein Maw
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar
| | - Aung Than Toe
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Tin Htun Aung
- Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association, Myanmar
| | - Nang Sarm Hom
- Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar
| | | | | | - Ye Tun Win
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar
| | - Wai Zin Thein
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar
| | - Kirsten Gilardi
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Hlaing Myat Thu
- Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar
| | - Christine Kreuder Johnson
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
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12
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Nahar N, Asaduzzaman M, Mandal UK, Rimi NA, Gurley ES, Rahman M, Garcia F, Zimicki S, Sultana R, Luby SP. Hunting Bats for Human Consumption in Bangladesh. ECOHEALTH 2020; 17:139-151. [PMID: 31989365 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Bats are important wildlife to their ecologic system, but they are also a zoonotic disease reservoir. Close bat-human interaction can lead to pathogen spillover. We conducted a qualitative study in two districts of Bangladesh and interviewed 30 bat hunters who hunt bats primarily for consumption, to understand the process and their reasons for hunting bats and their perceptions about bats and bat-borne disease. Most hunters catch bats during winter nights, using a net. Bat meat is used for household consumption, and the surplus is sold to cover household expenditures. They prepare the bat meat at home to sell it in their own and in neighboring communities. They also sell live bats to traditional healers. They report that the bat population has declined compared with 5 or 10 years ago, a decline they attribute to hunting and deforestation. Many have heard of a disease from bat-contaminated date palm sap but do not believe that bats can spread such disease to humans. Close bat-human interaction reported in this study pose a risk of pathogen spillover. Conservation initiatives have the potential to reduce such interaction and so both reduce disease risk and support the ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmun Nahar
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Utpal Kumar Mandal
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Nadia Ali Rimi
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Emily S Gurley
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mahmudur Rahman
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Rebeca Sultana
- icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
- Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Stephen P Luby
- Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Abstract
The emergence of novel zoonotic pathogens is one of the greatest challenges to global health security. The advent of increasingly sophisticated diagnostics tools has revolutionized our capacity to detect and respond to these health threats more rapidly than ever before. Yet, no matter how sophisticated these tools become, the initial identification of emerging infectious diseases begins at the local community level. It is here that the initial human or animal case resides, and it is here that early pathogen detection would have maximum benefit. Unfortunately, many areas at highest risk of zoonotic disease emergence lack sufficient infrastructure capacity to support robust laboratory diagnostic systems. Multiple factors are essential for pathogen detection networks, including an understanding of the complex sociological and ecological factors influencing disease transmission risk, community engagement, surveillance along high-risk human-animal interfaces, and a skilled laboratory workforce. Here we discuss factors relevant to the emerging disease paradigm, recent technical advances in diagnostic methods, and strategies for comprehensive and sustainable approaches to rapid zoonotic disease detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian H Bird
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Jonna A K Mazet
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
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