The majority of emerging pathogens originates in wildlife reservoirs. Transmission to humans occurs particularly in areas where there are close contacts between human and wildlife animals. Southeast Asia (SEA) is a global hotspot ofbiodiversity; 20% of global plant, animal and marine species are found in this region. However, climate change and loss of biodiversity related to human activities and behaviours such as continuing deforestation, land use change, agricultural expansion and intensification, expansion of human settlements, wildlife trade and hunting have contributed to increasing the risk of spillover events, i.e. transmission of a pathogen from a reservoir population to a novel host population. In recent decades, numerous viral zoonoses (i.e. Nipah/Hindra virus infection, H1N1 Swine flu, SARS, COVID-19) have emerged there. Chiang Mai Province is a potential area for zoonotic viral emergence due to its large biodiversity and taking advantage of the forest and wildlife by rural communities such as hunting wildlife for consumption. Large volumes of wildlife animals are hunted to supply restaurants and families. Poor sanitary conditions during food preparation create ideal conditions for spillover events, likely similar to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population. Areas where multiple interactions occur between humans and wildlife animals are potential hot spots for zoonotic pathogen transmission. Thus conducting a survey of zoonotic viruses in humans and animals in those areas as well as in rural forest communities may identify spillover events. In addition, analysis of socio-behavior factors will help better understand the risk of transmission to humans and between humans and identify training needs to prevent their transmission in the communities.
- To explore the circulation on potential zoonotic viruses among high-risk populations in Chiang Mai province
- To assess the serological prevalence of potential zoonotic viruses and perform concurrent behavioral questionnaire among high-risk populations in Chiang Mai province
- To explore potential zoonotic viruses in wildlife animals involved with human community in Chiang Mai province
Study period:
Since July 2022 - Now
sponsored by:
On July 29, 2023 LUCENT international collaboration team, Faculty of associated Medical Technology with Veterinary, Chiang Mai University.The team are organized the meeting, educating and sample collecting for participants who have close contact with wild animals.We are very appreciated to the Om-koi district for coorporating between us and participants.
On 8 June 2023, the LUCENT international collaboration team traveled to meet with the leader of Omkoi District Public Health Office and Director of the Health Promotion Hospital, Ban Uthum District, Chiang Mai about the implementation plan "Survey of zoonotic viruses in wildlife and human contacts in Chiang Mai Province."
On 29th March 2023, We had an online discussion with the director of Ban U Tum Tambon Health Promotion Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand on the THOHUN project implementation.
On February 8th 2023 we attended a consultation meeting about our project with the head of Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Research Station, Chiang Mai, Thailand
