A protocol and a data-based prediction to investigate virus spillover at the wildlife interface in human-dominated and protected habitats in Thailand: The Spillover Interface project

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294397
• Publication Date: 2024-01-02T19:34:30Z
• Authors: Chuanphot Thinpho...; Ewan Nordstrom-Sc...; Pipat Soisook; Anamika Kritiyakan; Ronnakrit Chakngean; Sakarin Prapruti; Malee Tanita; Yossapong Paladsing; Phurin Makaew; Awatsaya Pimsai; Abdulloh Samoh; Christophe Mahuzier; Serge Morand; Kittipong Chaisiri; Waraphon Phimpraphai
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Economics; FOS: Health sciences; Wildlife; 630; Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Study Protocol; environment/Health; [SDV.MHEP.MI]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Infectious diseases; Chiroptera; Microeconomics; Environmental resource management; Mammals; [SDV.MHEP.ME]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Emerging diseases; Geography; Ecology; Q; R; Life Sciences; Biodiversity; Thailand; IUCN Red List; Infectious Diseases; Animals, Domestic; [SDV.MP.VIR]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Microbiology and Parasitology/Virology; Viruses; Medicine; Ecosystem Change; Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and Zoonotic Infections; 570; Science; Dynamics of Livestock Disease Transmission and Control; Animals, Wild; Emerging Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Approach; Environmental science; 03 medical and health sciences; Dogs; Health Sciences; Animals; Humans; Spillover effect; Biology; Ecosystem; [SDV.EE.SANT]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology, environment/Health; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; [SDV.EE.SANT]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology; FOS: Biological sciences; [SDV.SPEE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie; Agronomy and Crop Science

The Spillover Interface Project aims at assessing the encounter of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans along a landscape gradient from a protected area to a residential community, through areas of reforestation and agricultural land. Here, we present the protocols of the project that combine virus screening in humans, bats, rodents and dogs with camera trapping, land-use characterization, and network analyses. The project is taking place in the sub-district of Saen Thong (Nan Province, Thailand) in collaboration with local communities, the District Public Health Office, and Nanthaburi National Park. To formulate a predictive hypothesis for the Spillover Interface Project, we assess the wildlife diversity and their viral diversity that could be observed in Saen Thong through a data science analysis approach. Potential mammalian species are estimated using data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and their associated viral diversity from a published open database. A network analysis approach is used to represent and quantify the transmission of the potential viruses hosted by the mammals present in Saen Thong, according to the IUCN. A total of 57 viruses are expected to be found and shared between 43 host species, including the domestic dog and the human species. By following the protocols presented here, the Spillover Interface Project will collect the data and samples needed to test this data-driven prediction.