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Study of Nipah virus dynamics and genetics in its bat reservoir and of human exposure to NiV across Bangladesh to understand patterns of human outbreaks

Award Number: U01AI153420
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/15/2024

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Study of Nipah virus dynamics and genetics in its bat reservoir and of human exposure to NiV across Bangladesh to understand patterns of human outbreaks - Project Summary Nipah virus is a zoonotic paramyxovirus, carried by old world fruit bats across Africa and Asia, which causes severe, fatal encephalitis in humans and can be transmitted from person to person. In Bangladesh, where outbreaks in people occur annually, the primary route of transmission is the consumption of raw date palm sap. Date palm sap is harvested and consumed most intensively in western Bangladesh, an area referred to as the “Nipah belt,” however, date palm sap consumption, NiV, and its bat reservoir, Pteropus medius, are present throughout Bangladesh. It is unclear why outbreaks have not been detected in eastern Bangladesh. Cryptic spillover of NiV creates a significant risk that more pathogenic and transmissible strains will emerge and lead to large epidemics. This multidisciplinary project will determine whether NiV outbreaks have occurred in eastern Bangladesh and how differences human behavior, infection patterns in bats, and genetic variation in circulating strains of NiV influence outbreaks outside of the Nipah belt. This project combines human exposure studies with multi-site longitudinal infection studies in bats and in vivo experimental infections in bats and hamsters comparing clinical outcomes among diverse strains to achieve the following specific aims: 1) To compare NiV exposure and its behavioral determinants among human populations inside and outside the Nipah belt in Bangladesh. We will test the hypothesis that NiV spillover has occurred in Bangladesh in communities outside the Nipah belt. We’ll use behavioral questionnaires and a multiplex Luminex serological assay to screen high risk populations for IgG antibodies against NiV and determine if Nipah exposure has occurred and how behavioral risk varies by locality. 2) To compare Nipah virus temporal dynamics in Pteropus bat colonies inside and outside of the Nipah belt. We will conduct longitudinal bat NiV field studies in six locations (3 western, 3 eastern), characterize local bat demography, measure changes in seroprevalence over time; determine viral shedding patterns and genetic variation among strains. Through experimental bat infections in a BSL 4 lab, we will determine whether bats with antibodies against NiV (previous exposure) may be re-infected and shed virus. This will answer a critical question about transmission dynamics and allow us to test the hypothesis that viral shedding occurs with different frequency in eastern bats compared to western bats, which may influence zoonotic transmission. 3) To compare pathogenicity and transmissibility of diverse Nipah virus isolates from bats inside and outside the Nipah belt, using animal models. Malaysia type NiV and Bangladesh type have different clinical profiles in people. NiV genetic variation may account for lower human infection rates in eastern Bangladesh. To test this hypothesis, we will compare transmissibility and pathogenicity of diverse NiV strains isolated from Pteropus medius in a Syrian hamster model under BSL 4 conditions.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$275,611 )
2025	2023	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC	520 8TH AVE SUITE 1200	NEW YORK	NY	10018	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	4	4/11/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$275,611
2025	2023	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC	520 8TH AVE SUITE 1200	NEW YORK	NY	10018	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	4	3/4/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = -$275,611

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $535,284 )
2023	2023	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC.	520 8TH AVE RM 1200	NEW YORK	NY	10018	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	4	9/15/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$535,284
2023	2022	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC.	520 8TH AVE RM 1200	NEW YORK	NY	10018	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	4/26/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $535,284

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $600,404 )
2022	2022	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC.	520 8TH AVE RM 1200	NEW YORK	NY	10018	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	3	9/21/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$600,404
2022	2021	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC.	520 8TH AVE RM 1200	NEW YORK	NY	10018	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	2/1/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $600,404

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $574,984 )
2021	2021	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC.	520 8TH AVE RM 1200	NEW YORK	NY	10018	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	7/1/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$574,984
														Subtotal = $574,984

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $580,858 )
2020	2020	ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE INC.	460 W 34TH ST 17TH FL	NEW YORK	NY	10001	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	9/15/2020	NEW	$580,858
														Subtotal = $580,858

Grand Total All Awards = $2,015,919

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Study of Nipah virus dynamics and genetics in its bat reservoir and of human exposure to NiV across Bangladesh to understand patterns of human outbreaks

Award Number: U01AI153420

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/15/2024

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