Assessing the risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 in and via North American bats — Decision framing and rapid risk assessment

Runge, Michael C.; Grant, E. H. C.; Coleman, Jeremy T. H.; Reichard, Jonathan D.; Gibbs, Shelli; Cryan, Paul M.; Olival, Kevin J.; Walsh, Daniel P.; Bleher, D. S.; Hopkins, M. Camille; Sleeman, Jonathan M.

doi:10.3133/ofr20201060

Cited by 22 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Cross-species virus transmission events are relatively rare, requiring an infectious reservoir host to be in contact with a recipient host when conditions concurrently favor susceptibility and onward transmission [12,113,114]. The currently unknown, but possible and potentially high-consequence, risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and establishment in North American bats (or other free-ranging mammals) warrants precaution [116,140]. Strategically managing interactions between people and potentially susceptible or at risk species can decrease the probability of cross-species virus spillover [113].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, PPE, including respiratory protection, is a standard practice adopted by many bat virus researchers but by few others studying and regularly handling bats [ 134 , 139 ]. The urgent research priority of a rapid, quantitative risk assessment and analysis of various mitigation options is currently underway [ 137 , 140 ]. One key question is whether the proper use of optimal PPE, including bidirectional N95 or equivalent masks, along with effective risk communication and adherence to other basic biosafety practices [ 134 , 141 , 142 ] during field work, can significantly reduce the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to bats.…”

Section: Need For An Interdisciplinary Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

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Possibility for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife: A case study of bats

et al. 2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the substantial public health, economic, and societal consequences of virus spillover from a wildlife reservoir. Widespread human transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also presents a new set of challenges when considering viral spillover from people to naïve wildlife and other animal populations. The establishment of new wildlife reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2 would further complicate public health control measures and could lead to wildlife health and conservation impacts. Given the likely bat origin of SARS-CoV-2 and related beta-coronaviruses (β-CoVs), free-ranging bats are a key group of concern for spillover from humans back to

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Need For An Interdisciplinary Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

Possibility for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife: A case study of bats

et al. 2020

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“…In an earlier risk assessment focused on spring and summer fieldwork conditions, Runge et al (2020) had to rely almost entirely on expert judgment for parameters in their risk model. Since that time, a substantial amount of empirical data have accrued, and the risk assessment described here was able to incorporate empirical estimates for over half of the parameters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In April 2020, Runge et al (2020) conducted an assessment of the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in bats via contact with humans conducting research, survey, monitoring, wildlife control, and rehabilitation work in summer fieldwork settings. They found that the risk to bats was low if personal protective equipment (PPE) was properly used, but there was significant uncertainty about whether infection could result in spread within bat populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks posed by SARS‐CoV‐2 to North American bats during winter fieldwork

Cook

Grant

Coleman

et al. 2021

Conservat Sci and Prac

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The virus that causes COVID-19 likely evolved in a mammalian host, possibly Old-World bats, before adapting to humans, raising the question of whether reverse zoonotic transmission to bats is possible. Wildlife management agencies in North America are concerned that the activities they authorize could lead to transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to bats from humans. A rapid risk assessment conducted in April 2020 suggested that there was a small but significant possibility that SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted from humans to bats during summer fieldwork, absent precautions. Subsequent challenge studies in a laboratory setting have shed new information on these risks, as has more detailed information on human epidemiology and transmission. This inquiry focuses on the risk to bats from winter fieldwork, specifically surveys of winter roosts and handling of bats to test for white-nose syndrome or other research needs.We use an aerosol transmission model, with parameter estimates both from the literature and from formal expert judgment, to estimate the risk to three species of North American bats, as a function of several factors. We find that risks of transmission are lower than in the previous assessment and are notably affected by chamber volume and local prevalence of COVID-19. Use of facemasks with high filtration efficiency or a negative COVID-19 test before field surveys can reduce zoonotic risk by 65 to 88%.

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“…3) of these viruses from humans into novel bat or other animal hosts that have no evolutionary association with the circulating strains. Bat organisations internationally have responded to this threat by advocating, at a minimum, for increased biosecurity protocols when handling bats for research or rehabilitation (IUCN Bat Specialist Group 2020; Olival et al 2020;Runge et al 2020). In some cases, this has extended to blanket bans on handling wild bats.…”

Section: Potential Establishment Of Novel Coronaviruses In Australianmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coronaviruses and Australian bats: a review in the midst of a pandemic

et al. 2019

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Australia's 81 bat species play vital ecological and economic roles via suppression of insect pests and maintenance of native forests through pollination and seed dispersal. Bats also host a wide diversity of coronaviruses globally, including several viral species that are closely related to SARS-CoV-2 and other emergent human respiratory coronaviruses. Although there are hundreds of studies of bat coronaviruses globally, there are only three studies of bat coronaviruses in Australian bat species, and no systematic studies of drivers of shedding. These limited studies have identified two betacoronaviruses and seven alphacoronaviruses, but less than half of Australian species are included in these studies and further research is therefore needed. There is no current evidence of spillover of coronaviruses from bats to humans in Australia, either directly or indirectly via intermediate hosts. The limited available data are inadequate to determine whether this lack of evidence indicates that spillover does not occur or occurs but is undetected. Conversely, multiple international agencies have flagged the potential transmission of human coronaviruses (including SARS CoV-2) from humans to bats, and the consequent threat to bat conservation and human health. Australia has a long history of bat research across a broad range of ecological and associated disciplines, as well as expertise in viral spillover from bats. This strong foundation is an ideal platform for developing integrative approaches to understanding bat health and sustainable protection of human health.

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Assessing the risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 in and via North American bats — Decision framing and rapid risk assessment

Abstract: A guidance committee, composed of representatives from several State and Federal wildlife agencies, was instrumental in helping us frame the decision context for this risk assessment.

Cited by 22 publications

References 4 publications

Possibility for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife: A case study of bats

Possibility for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to free-ranging wildlife: A case study of bats

Risks posed by SARS‐CoV‐2 to North American bats during winter fieldwork

Coronaviruses and Australian bats: a review in the midst of a pandemic

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