This
project will investigate the infection dynamics of Hendra virus (HeV) in
flying foxes, and the mechanism of spillover of infection to
horses. Evidence from previous field studies suggests that infection and
excretion of HeV in flying foxes has within-year and between-year
variability. In addition, of the three known spillover events to horses, two
occurred within a four week period in the same year, and all three occurred
in the spring-summer period. Photo: C. Smith.
This
project will monitor the infection status of targeted wild flying fox
populations in Australia over a four year period to identify peak infection
periods and routes of excretion in free-living populations. Associations
between temporal patterns of infection and biologic, environmental and
anthropogenic variables with be explored. This analysis will contribute to
the elucidation of causal influences on spillover events, on the development
of predictive models, and on risk management strategies. Photo: C. Smith.
Author: P. Daszak & H. Field.