Investigation of the Spillover of High Consequence Agriculture Pathogens from Periodomestic Mammals in Latin America

The objective of this project is to investigate the risk of spillover of high consequence agriculture pathogens from bats in South America. With the exception of Antarctica, bats are found worldwide. Over 1100 species of bats have been identified. These mammals have been identified to harbor a large number of pathogens. To date over 200 viruses have been identified. The distribution of bats, the diversity of viruses they carry, the mechanisms of viral persistence and contact with animals and humans are critical variables in assessing the risk of zoonotic spillovers and the potential impact on agriculture. This project will focus on South America, an area where little work has been conducted.