Title
The undiscovered country: Bats, emerging infectious diseases, management strategies, and conservation
Author(s)
Rupprecht, Charles E.; Cryan, Paul; McCracken, Gary; O'Shea, Tom; Waldien, Dave; Walston, Joe
Published
2013
Abstract
Bats are reservoirs for etiological agents of global health importance. Misguided attempts at disease management have led to widespread killing of bats. However, reduction of bat populations is not effective, nor compatible with the critical role of bats in ecosystem health, compounded with the highly threatened status of many populations. Recent analyses indicate that even culling of vampires may be ineffective. Holistic approaches addressing diseases are needed, employing multiple strategies, compatible with basic tenets of population ecology, vector control, health economics, and conservation biology. Examples include: public education regarding the value of bats, coupled with appreciation to preventing exposure to pathogens, such as filoviruses; vaccination of livestock, to protect agricultural investments, and lessen threats posed by bat-borne henipaviruses; proper use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), to minimize hazards associated with histoplasmosis at roosts. Rabies exemplifies these approaches in a One Health context. Education is key, regarding exposure avoidance. Those at risk require PPE. Rabies vaccination of domestic animals is routine to protect against spillover infections of bat lyssaviruses. Bat exclusion from human living quarters minimizes direct contact. Testing of suspect bats provides reliable diagnosis and aids exposure risk assessments. Postexposure prophylaxis is highly effective after bite. Moreover, oral rabies wildlife immunization with novel recombinant vaccines provides a unique tool for future consideration of some bat diseases under particular circumstances. These examples demonstrate solutions to problems arising at human, domestic-animal, and wildlife interfaces. Such challenges demand collaboration and multi-disciplinary approaches, involving researchers, biomedical professionals, ecologists, conservation biologists, and policy makers.
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PUB27090