Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Pathobiological Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Reemerging and emerging zoonotic viruses are some of the most important public and One Health threats facing the world. Understanding the transmission dynamics of these viruses is vital to reducing the disease burden, and one of the key aspects to these transmission systems is the environmental vertex of the One Health triangle. SARS-CoV-2 has only recently emerged as a global public health threat, and within 4 years, over 700 million cases have been reported. As a novel pathogen, many aspects of transmission, including environmental fomite transmission and disinfection, were initially a glaring gap in knowledge. Additionally, while chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and zika virus (ZIKV) have been of public interest longer, especially after epidemics in the 2010’s, the complexities of arbovirus transmission pathways require nuanced study of how a changing global climate and environmental conditions affect epidemiological parameters. Furthermore, the identification of alternative transmission modalities of understudied arboviruses, such as Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) and Batai virus (BATV), are also important One Health studies, as characterization of these viral transmission pathways may provide essential answers if either virus requires a comprehensive response from human and/or animal public health officers. Within this dissertation, the hypothesis addressed is broadly: the environment plays an important role in the transmission potential of several zoonotic viruses of public health importance. Specifically investigated are: 1) the potential of a novel UV source to inactivate environmental SARS-CoV-2, 2) whether understudied BUNV and BATV are maintained via transovarial and transstadial transmission in Aedes aegypti during interepidemic periods, 3) the long-term environmental stability of BUNV in whole blood and sera as a potential novel alternative transmission modality, and 4) the effects of indoor versus outdoor Colombian micro-climates on the infection and dissemination of ZIKV and CHIKV in their primary vector Ae. aegypti. The results discussed in this dissertation provide pivotal information for understanding and controlling the transmission of these viruses, and more importantly, identifying key gaps to consider for emerging/reemerging zoonotic virus epidemiology.

Date

11-15-2023

Committee Chair

Rebecca C Christofferson

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